Herda’s been delinquent paying property taxes

Public Forum:

Bayside residents are a diverse group unified by two common characteristics. First, we all breathe air. Second, we all pay property taxes. Since property taxes are due at the same time every single year, it came as a shock to me when I saw that Kelly Herda, a candidate for Bayside trustee, has been delinquent in paying her property taxes in eight of the last 14 years.

Public records show that Ms. Herda was charged interest and penalties on her property tax bills in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2001, 2000, and 1998. In some of those years, Ms. Herda did not make a single tax payment until the end of July, even though an installment payment was due six months earlier.

Even more stunning is that Ms. Herda is accruing interest and penalties on her currently due 2012 property tax bill even as I write this letter. Ms. Herda did not get around to making an initial installment payment on her property tax bill until Feb. 27, even though that installment was due on Jan. 31. And the payment Ms. Herda did make was less than what was due.

It is easy to understand how someone can overlook a timely property tax payment once or twice. Kelly Herda forgets to pay her taxes more often than she remembers. Is this how Ms. Herda would run Bayside's finances?

Laurie Wolf

Bayside