In these times of controversy and uncertainty, a constant and incomprehensible thing keeps on happening to us: property taxes keep on rising.

Sarah Pimentel, a Haverstraw resident, said she’s tired of the constant and disproportionate tax increases. Pimentel said that the taxes affect her in two ways, not only have property taxes increased, but school taxes have gone up as well – these are derived from the property taxes. The excessive increases are a form of abuse, opined Pimentel, and it’s time for somebody to take the matter into their hands.

In this sector of the state, a family of two earns about $6 an hour or a total of $240 per week. With taxes deducted, the weekly sum is approximately $183 per week or a total of $1,464 a month.

With that salary, a family of two has to pay rent, which in our area costs approximately $1,200 and that’s without factoring in the cost of water, electricity, telephone and cable services. Of course, all personal expenses such as clothes, food and daily transportation to their place of employment need to be deducted.

These are the types of situations that force our residents to seek alternative solutions to make ends meet that, in most cases, are not wholly legal, like renters leasing out rooms without subleases from the homeowners. These rentals often are basements that lack the amenities of a habitable space, not to mention their use ignoring prior restrictions set up by the homeowners. This situation is an open invitation for the abuse of the subtenants, who don’t have the protection of a proper lease and prevents them from seeking protection from the law in any way.

This is just one example of the problems that result from the increase of the property taxes in the Town of Haverstraw. But it seems this is not a problem that everyone is ready to talk about it, due to an incomprehensible sense of fear and a prevailing sense of self-protection.

Some homeowners, despite their fear and precaution, spoke about the issue and expressed hope that a “monkey law” be established, where everyone is equal before the law, regardless of race, status, or place of employment. These owners only hope that the homes of local elected officers, who are responsible for these increases, be the first to get a visit from the building inspectors and that they be made to meet all the housing codes required by law.

Francisco Batista, deputy mayor of the Town of Haverstraw, said he was aware that the Latino community felt local authorities do not do a good job. However, he urged Latinos to follow the example set by the white community and raise their voices in order to be heard. As well, he invited everyone to attend the frequently held community meetings.

It is not up to the local authorities, said Batista, but to Latinos to raise their voices and make their problems known – problems that are shared by the whole Haverstraw community – and look for solutions to those problems.

Similarly, he left the door open for those who wished to speak with him about their rights. He added that united they could overcome any obstacle and find alternative solutions to help free the community from the heavy burdens that all residents of the Town of Haverstraw face.