Submitted by Dr. Michael Goldstein
Greenwich Demographics and a Long History of Responsible Government has Enabled Greenwich to Provide a High Level of Services While Keeping Taxes Low.
In addition to a long history of responsible government it is the demographics of Greenwich which contributes to Greenwich’s relatively low tax rate. Any spending proposals that could raise taxes and shift the demographics could drive empty nesters, retirees and middle class families out of Greenwich leading to an influx of school age families.
The economics of such a population shift is best seen by comparing the demographics between Greenwich and Scarsdale. In Greenwich 24.3% of the population is under 18 (school age) while in Scarsdale it is 33.1%. In Greenwich 83% of the students attend public schools or 20.1% of the population. In Scarsdale 90% of the students attend public school or 29.8% of the population. If we had the same percent of our population in public schools as Scarsdale our school population would increase from 11,846 to 18,957. This would represent an increase in our student population of 7,111 students. This would increase our school budget by 160%. It would require the construction of 10 new schools the size of the Central Middle School costing about $1.2 billion in school construction. This would most likely be financed at current high interest rates.
Raising taxes would lead to a demographic shift where middle class families, retirees and empty nesters who could not afford or choose not to pay the higher taxes will leave. They will be replaced with families with school age children and there will no longer be non-school families subsidizing the school expenditures . Taxes will continue to rise to Scarsdale levels with a mil rate that is triple that of Greenwich. Reckless spending has consequences.
Greenwich is a diverse community where 31.5% of our population is either Black, mixed race, or Latino. Our diversity is also reflected in our housing stock, enabling people of all income levels to live here.
We must preserve the diversity of our community. Greenwich needs to remain a town where middle class people can afford to remain here, where people can raise their children, become empty nesters and retire without being driven out because of huge tax increases due to reckless spending.
Elections matter and irresponsible government spending has consequences. If you want to preserve what makes Greenwich special you must resist the tax and spend mentality of the progressive democrats.
We must keep our demographic mix and keep Greenwich the town with low taxes and excellent town services and facilities.
Dr. Michael Goldstein