I have been following the local and now state reportings, on special district practices. I live in the Syosset sanitation district and, like any taxpayer, don't like the idea of being overtaxed for services.

I decided to do my own comparisons. I compared my home, along with nine other homes in Syosset. I got all of my information using the Nassau County website www.mynassauproperty.com. First, I compared my house with one approximately one-half of a mile away that is not in the special district. The assessed values on both houses are exactly the same amount. My yearly taxes for the sanitation district are $504.28; the home not in the district is paying $488.86 to the Town of Oyster Bay, a difference of $15.42 per year. I did the same comparison on eight other homes, all with home value differences no greater than $2,000. These other houses, all within a one-half mile-range, averaged a yearly difference in garbage taxes of $12.88 per year.

You should be aware that residents within the Syosset sanitation special district receive garbage pickup three times per week, compared with the Town of Oyster Bay's two times per week. District residents also receive back-door pickup. I am willing to pay $15.42 per year more than my out-of-district neighbors for 52 collections more per year, as well as the convenience of back-door collection.

I wish that my local politicians would compare apples to apples and report accurate figures, rather than providing sound bites geared to getting them re-elected in November.

Barbara Moran