Too much tax relief for Kingstonian project

Dear Editor:

Making headlines all over is that President Trump only paid $750 in taxes in 2016 and again in 2017. Well, maybe every city has its own Donald Trump. Here in Kingston, we have Brad Jordan, of Herzog Supply Co., who wants to build a $57.8 million apartment and commercial complex in Uptown Kingston, largely on land donated by the city and worth at least $1 million, and pay a mere $40,000 the first year under a paymentin-lieu-of-taxes deal instead of his full property tax obligation.

At the same time, the Kingston school district has sent out an email that warns of layoffs, which would cost affected people their health insurance. Even at an assessment of $19 million, the school taxes alone for The Kingstonian, at current rates, would be $611,000 for one year. That’s 15 school employees.

The city taxes would be $296,000, and county taxes $89,000, plus sales and mortgage taxes totaling $1.8 million.

So for $40,000, The Kingstonian saves about $2.76 million in the first year. And if the site was fully assessed, the tax savings would be about $4.6 million.

No real concerns from elected officials, or civic leaders. No real headlines. Like the Supreme Court, the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency board is filled with “team players.” Politicians and the IDA can’t wait to say “Yes!”

As an unwilling partner in this charade, I can’t wait for my first dividend check. But I will not hold my breath.

R. Bruce McLean

Kingston