Candidate Profile: Joseph Buda

I have resided with my family in the Island Trees community for 17 years. I have a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and a Masters in Education/Special Education.   

In 2004, I retired from the New York City Fire Department in the rank of Fire Captain. Before that I served as a Police Officer in the City of New York. One of my greatest achievements in life was having served my Country honorably for nine years in the United States Navy.  

My concerns for the future of the Island Trees School District include the health, safety, well being and quality of education for our children.  

Taxes and out of control spending have crippled our district. Our residents are leaving in droves. It seems that every block has at least one or two for sale signs on their lawns. There are more than 340 houses currently listed in foreclosure in our community. In addition, there are currently over 950 houses listed for sale.

These numbers do not  include people that haven’t been able to pay their mortgages/taxes and are still living in their homes, pending foreclosure. Just look at your school tax bill, it never stops going up, while our salaries, pensions and Social Security remain the same.  

If you're satisfied with your school tax bill, then I’m not your candidate. If you're satisfied with your income not rising, while your school taxes are skyrocketing, then I’m not your candidate. If you're satisfied with watching our senior citizens struggle just to pay their school taxes, then I’m not your candidate.      
Please show up to vote on May 17, 2011, especially our senior citizens and all those who feel their school taxes are unaffordable.

-Joe Buda