Dear Editor:

As costs and expenses continue to escalate, local governments must do all they can to avoid onerous tax and fee increases. With this in mind, I was pleased that several of my legislative colleagues joined me in sustaining S.C. Exec. Steve Levy's veto of the bill that would have raised County Park fees.

Many of my colleagues initially supported Suffolk County park fee increases to help fund Vanderbilt Museum operations. While I am fully committed to keeping the Vanderbilt open, I remain steadfast in my position that we must not put the Vanderbilt's financial problems on the backs of those who can least afford to pay.

While supporters claimed the proposed fee increases were nominal, such as $1 to $4 in parking fees, many others were substantial, such as increasing camping club fees from $35 to $75 or the increase in Green Card Key expenses. Not only were some fee increases hefty, they would also be recurring and paid every time a resident uses a County park. The fee increases could have potentially added up to hundreds of dollars per person every year. Ironically, these substantial fee increases could have resulted in decreased attendance and use of our parks, resulting in less revenue not more.

Just as the Federal government cannot bail out every company on the backs of the middle class, neither can the County. Personal financial uncertainty remains a very real concern for growing numbers of residents is exactly why it is vitally important to keep our Suffolk County parks and facilities affordable.

We all want the Vanderbilt to survive and thrive. It preserves much of our local history and serves as an educational facility for our children. Other funding alternatives are available and should continue to be explored. However, I cannot stand idly by and watch hard-working taxpayers who are struggling the most continue to carry even more weight on their shoulders by asking them to pay extra every time they visit a County park. Lou D'Amaro Suffolk County Legislator 17th Legislative District