In a community built for veterans by veterans, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin announced their proposal to defer town property taxes for military personnel called to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom during a press conference Sept. 2 in Levittown.

"Many returning military veterans and many returning military personnel saw [Levittown] as the epitome of the American dream. The resolution that Don Clavin and I are proposing will help those brave men and women who are currently serving in combat maintain the American Dream," Murray said. "Many of these reservists are only earning a fraction of the salary that they had as civilians. This has been a hardship for them and their families when it comes to paying bills. The Town of Hempstead wants to ensure that we do all that we can to lessen this burden for those who are fighting to preserve our freedoms.

"Don Clavin and I have collaborated on developing tax deferral and exemption initiatives in the past and we believe strongly that the defenders of our freedom deserve the active support of local government," Murray continued. "I am proud to be introducing a resolution before Hempstead's town board that will offer some financial relief to brave men and women in the armed services."

Hempstead Town has crafted its tax deferral resolution pursuant to Governor George Pataki's Patriot Plan, which provides a variety of legislative benefits for persons serving the country. This legislative package was signed into law July 1 and the specific component of the act, which supports the town's proposal enabling municipal corporations (towns, villages, counties, school districts and more) to defer the payment of property taxes for eligible homeowners.

"I want to thank Governor Pataki for signing the Patriot Plan into law and recognizing the importance of governmental initiatives benefiting those who are actively defending our country," Clavin added.

Specifically, the Murray/Clavin initiative applies to persons ordered into active duty during the time that has been designated as a period of combat or hazardous duty by presidential executive order or Congressional resolution. Persons would be eligible for an extension of property tax payments for a period of 90 days from the end of their deployment.

Town taxes represent just below nine percent of the average homeowner's tax bill in Hempstead Town. For residents of unincorporated areas, total average town taxes comprise $763 of all property taxes. "We are pleased to be able to lighten the financial burden faced by our reservists as they are serving our nation," Murray continued. "Many reservists face a loss of income in contrast to their civilian salaries, and this initiative provides relief during a period of fiscal hardship and personal stress."

Murray and Clavin also called on other governmental jurisdictions to follow their lead in deferring property tax deadlines for the affected troops. "To show united support for soldiers and in order to make the property tax deferral more meaningful, I am calling upon other municipal governments and other taxing jurisdictions to extend this tax relief," Murray added. "I have been contacted by reservists and their family members at my office inquiring whether any property tax relief is available and I am proud that we should be able to say 'yes' to their inquiries in the near future," Clavin concluded.

Hedy Navarro, whose husband Rick, a member of the US Army Military Police Brigade, attended the conference without him because he was recently re-deployed.