By Kate E. Salute
The posting on the Web site says, ³We are overtaxing ourselves off the island,² and, ³As I understand it, the budget you can vote for or against on May 16th represents a 7% increase over last year's budget.² ³I am a voter, a citizen and yes, a taxpayer just like you.² The message from the pastor cites the West Hempstead Chamber of Commerce as the his source of information on the budget.
West Hempstead Board of Education Vice President Pam Lotito said, ³I think it's an absolute disgrace what happened the Sunday before the vote. We worked very hard to a 5.34 percent budget it¹s the lowest increase we've had in a long time.²
Six days after the budget failed, the pastor returned calls from a graduation in Boston.
Lisante said, ³I do know how hard [the West Hempstead Board of Education] tried ‹ I¹m sure they¹ve tried their best and that¹s the frustration of it. I¹m well aware of the pressures and the mandates. But there are also pressures on the senior citizens, young couples and families and I feel that I am speaking for them.²
A follow-up message on the church Web site states, ³I think my words were accurate and I had other sources, (besides the chamber of commerce) including the info printed by the school board itself. I think the message has been sent that people are fed up with the high taxes and we need to do something to keep the senior citizens and young families living on Long Island.
³I don¹t think that $700,000 is insignificant,² Lisante said regarding West Hempstead going to a contingency budget, ³in fact it is very significant and important to the residents, I do think it would be a step in the right direction. I think there are creative ways to cut from the budget without hurting the children, it sounds dramatic to say that the children are going to be hurt ‹ indeed, no one wants to hurt kids.²
The pastor made reference to Bruce Blakeman, former presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature, and his suggestion to consolidate districts, ³Look at Valley Stream, the people have to pay for three forms of administration.²
Lisante says that along with his sisters, he pays taxes on his mother's home in West Hempstead that has been in the family since the 1950s.
A letter to the editor from West Hempstead resident Tony Brita questions the constitutionality of Lisante¹s statements, given the separation of church and state. Having received communications himself, Lisante wrote the second posting on the church Web site addressing that issue. ³I do not forfeit my right to think and state my beliefs because I¹m a priest. And you will never cause me to lose my First Amendment right to protected speech.... For those of you who accused me of crossing the constitutional separation of church and state in expressing an opinion, read the law.²
The Internal Revenue Service Web site states, ³the political campaign activity prohibition is not intended to restrict free expression on political matters by leaders of organizations speaking for themselves, as individuals... However, for their organizations to remain tax-exempt under section 501 (c)(3), leaders cannot make partisan comments in official organization publications or at official functions.²
Sean Dolan, spokesperson for Diocese of Rockville Centre, said, ³the diocese is not in the position to take a stand on school budgets. Msgr. Lisante was speaking for himself.²
Comments about this story? Call (516) 569-4000 x205, or e-mail ksalute@liherald.com.
