Interview with Councilman Gosek Regarding Reassessment

By Jose Hernandez

OSWEGO – me down and engage with their elected representatives, that’s one that hasn’t happened,” said Gosek. Gosek believes that there are more people affected by the tax rule. Gosek acknowledges that people may want to refrain from speaking out against the change in their taxes but urges them to. Gosek admits that residents who opposed the tax rule were speaking more about this issue than any issue he has seen as an official in Oswego but fears they will be viewed as a vocal minority. This is why Gosek is imploring as many people as possible to come to the meetings where the topic will be brought up to the floor.
Gosek says the tax rule should be voted on in the next cycle of decisions. It is to be on the floor at the common committee meeting on Monday June 17th, then voted on the following Monday, June 24th. Gosek implores people that wish for removal of re-evaluation to attend both meetings and speak. Gosek hopes that testimonies from Oswego residents will sway his fellow council members’ votes.
Gosek believes that the data that GAR gathered was not correct. “The data is egregiously flawed; every councilor agreed that it was skewed,” said Gosek. “I’m going to call my fellow councilors to reject the tax rule.” Councilman Jesse Vanucchi and Gosek were the only two in favor of the resolution to reject the assessment done by GAR associates. Councilman Peter Allen could not attend the meeting where the resolution was first voted down, but Gosek hopes that he and the other councilmembers will vote to reject the assessment, reverting taxes to where they were prior to reassessment.
Gosek believes that the council members who voted against rejecting the assessment by GAR were out of touch with working-class people and were not as personally affected by the tax change as others. “I’m a working class person, I’m a councilman and I teach high school, I can’t afford to pay anymore either,” said Gosek, speaking on the tax rule as well recent national grid increases. While Gosek believes it is in his best interest, he also believes it is in the best interest of the people he represents.

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