Elmont Online

$1,158 Dollars Stolen from Every Homeowner! Culprit is Identified: Senator Craig Johnson!
Local officials and residents of the Elmont, North Valley Stream, South Floral Park and Floral Park communities are still shocked over the robbery of $1,158 dollars from homeowners discovered this past weekend in the form of STAR Rebate checks being cancelled. As most residents are aware, the STAR Rebate check program was a property tax rebate program put into effect for homeowners crippled by rising real property taxes. The program was cancelled when the New York State Senate voted to end the STAR Rebate Check program.

The vote to end the STAR Rebate check program was lost by 1 vote in the New York State Senate. Shockwaves hit Elmont taxpayers today when it was revealed that State Senator Craig Johnson voted to end the STAR Rebate Check program and that his 1 vote could have saved the program. Johnson’s vote ended the program and has ignited a firestorm of criticism.

“This is the biggest betrayal I have ever seen in an elected official” said an Elmont homeowner active in community affairs. “I can’t believe that Craig Johnson has the gall to send these postcards for election saying he wants a tax cap but then votes to take away the STAR Rebate Check. That money paid for my winter home heating oil. I am really ticked off about this.”

“This is my money, not Craig Johnson’s money. We pay outrageous taxes here and Craig Johnson walks around handing out checks for grants that never come and then he pickpockets us $1,158? This is a complete sham by this guy,” said an Elmont firefighter who has vocally spoken out about tax issues in community meetings.

Local Nassau County State Senators voted to keep the STAR Rebate check. For example, Senators Dean Skelos, Chuck Fuschillo, Carl Marcellino and Kemp Hannon voted to keep the STAR Rebate check program alive.

“This is what happened when you have a State Senator, who lives in Port Washington, who doesn’t have a clue what its like to be a middle class family,” said an Elmont after school program counselor adding, “I can’t afford Craig Johnson’s taxes, his taking away the STAR Rebate check program and him telling us he fight for us. Who is he fighting for? Not for us. That’s for sure.”

Local residents couldn’t believe that the program was eliminated by 1 vote and that Johnson himself was the deciding factor. “How can this guy mail us this garbage during this election about taxes when he took away $1,158 dollars from my pocket. This guy needs a real talking to,” said an Elmont small businessman.

Homeowners in Elmont were to receive the STAR Rebate Check which came as a bonified check from the State of New York whereby homeowners could spend the money for things they needed. One Elmont senior noted, “that check is the difference in me heating my home properly and me being able to pay for prescription drugs. Craig Johnson doesn’t get it and it hurts me to say as a Democrat that he doesn’t care.”

Local residents are reminded that Election Day is November 2^nd.