Submitted by Brian Raabe
Ms. Fassuliotis – How do we all get the 30% “Town Benefit” reduction you enjoy?
One can commend Ms. Fassuliotis for being able to convey the same energy in her letter writing she demonstrated when – as an elected official, she threw her toys out of the pram and walked out on a Town of Greenwich meeting:
Not sure “works and plays well with others” would generate high marks in reading above.
So not a surprise that she would come down my street in reply to my letter to the editor here:
And her reply –
Given we now have the metaphorical ships of the fleet lined up, makes sense to return fire.
You see in all Ms. Fassuliotis’ conduct I hear in the background the lyrics to Creedence Clearwater’s “Fortunate Son.”
According to Google, “The song protests the inequality where wealthy, connected young men received exemptions (like college or medical deferments) while working-class, “unfortunate” sons were sent to fight [in Vietnam].
I don’t know if Ms. Fassuliotis is a “fortunate daughter” or born with a silver spoon – not really the point – this is the line that resonates:
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand
Lord, don’t they help themselves, Lord?
But when the taxman come to the door
Lord, the house lookin’ like a rummage sale, yeah
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate son, no.
I bring this up as it relates to Ms. Fassuliotis’ tax bill.
Anyone can look this up, it’s in the public record.
For all her gnashing of teeth over taxes – a self-appointed “tip of the spear” in calling out what’s wrong – you would have to believe her taxes are outrageous.
Rather than numbers, we’ll index to percentages from her receipt:
Her Total Town of Greenwich Tax = 100%.
Her Elderly State Deduction = (11%)
Her Town Benefit = (29%)
Taxes paid as a percent to total = 60.0%
What is the “Town Benefit” that provides Ms. Fassuliotis a 30% discount on her bill?
How many of us are enjoying that and get to pay just 60 cents on the dollar when the bill comes?
The Elderly Discount demonstrates the empathy of the state, no issue for me.
It may even be a deduction she opposes yet enjoys.
Why would she be opposed?
For every well-deserved discount legislated, someone else is paying the bill – it’s how democracy works.
But cross subsidization for the public good seems anathema to Ms. Fassuliotis.
Moving on to the nearly 30% “Town Benefit”… wow.
What are you angry about?
You refer to my writing as “sanctimonious.” The very definition of the word begins with hypocritical.
That’s an attractive – pretty hypocritical – discount you personally enjoy.
Maybe for good reason – who knows.
It’s one thing to put oneself at the vanguard of an argument or body politic.
In this case, you call years of Town management fiscal, “sleight of hand” and see nothing but mission creep in tax bills.
It’s another thing to engage in false anger when you yourself receive a 30% haircut on your taxes.
You can explain it in your next broadside – or maybe Assessor Lauren Elliott can weigh in with what that is, who gets it, and why.
Can we all get that discount?
Of course, taken to its logical conclusion – everyone gets a 30% discount – we couldn’t run the town.
But you Ms. Fassuliotis – you are very fortunate.
And because of how this works, I and others are paying the 30% of the tax bill you enjoy seeing deducted.
So, with any reply you write to the Editor, can you include a thank you?
Unrelated, you also seem to have some issue with the hedge fund community in your letter.
Elected officials recognize things like the Cohen center in Old Greenwich make life better. Not sure what point you were making but it was not self- awareness. Some big tax bills being paid by hedge fund residents. Not a bad thing.
Lastly – on recognizing my “silver medal” in tax paying for living here 25 years versus your 50, we owned two homes in Greenwich for a sustained period.
So, while you were likely enjoying your 30% off taxes sale – I was paying double.