Dear Editor:
In response to Spencer Gelband’s letter of Feb. 21, “Long time resident’s parking complaint is appalling,” which was a response to my letter of Feb. 14, “Am I a resident, or not?”
Let’s start with the law. Owner’s of out-of-state vehicles are granted 60 consecutive days (two months) before being required to transfer registration here. I bring my car here for oil changes and other maintenance, twice a year, rarely staying for more than a month or two. So, the vehicle is registered in the state where it is driven mostly. Legally, and hence, not “fraudulent.” How that is regarded as “morally offensive” or “having my cake and eating it too,” I fail to understand.
Yes, I am fortunate enough to live and work in two different states. I need my car in that other state for work. I don’t need a car, when I live and work in Hoboken. I bring it here to have it maintained by the same mechanics I have gone to and trusted all my life. That won’t happen anymore. As I said, I don’t need the car here. I hate having one here, because I hate having to park here, too. But to be told that I am not a resident, when I have lived here for so long, paid my taxes and parking tickets on time, and put up with the obvious out-of-towners who park here with illegally obtained parking permits, is absurd.
I find it interesting that Mr. Gelband failed to even mention the tax issue I raised, paying for a majority of services that I only use two or three months out of the year. Not that I would ever expect there to be a pro-rated property tax system. My argument there was rhetorical, just to make a point. He unjustly complains that I am somehow taking advantage of the system at a cost to everyone else. Meanwhile, my taxes are indeed subsidizing his use of county and municipal services year-round. My insurance saves me a few hundred dollars a year. If property taxes were pro-rated based on the time I spend here, I would save thousands each year.
What Mr. Gelband fails to recognize is that we are on the SAME team! We are fighting against people who park here, but who don’t live here! I do, but all this nonsense has me wondering for how much longer. So, thank you Mr. Gelband, for reminding me that tough times, require tough decisions. You will gain another parking spot and no longer have to pay those few extra pennies a year to “subsidize” my insurance, because I could really use the few extra thousand I will save, when I leave for good.
Sincerely,
A soon-to-be former resident, who’s had enough