Shear Stupidity

by Brother Knight Gerald A. Perry

(Brother Perry is a reporter for the Roosevelt, N.Y. Community Journal. This article ran in their February 12-25 2000 edition. He's also a member of Powell Council)

Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary defines the word shear as, "to cut or clip, to strip or divest, to fleece, to swindle by extortion or sharp practice."

Let's apply this interpretation to what Nassau County has and is doing to many Knights of Columbus buildings. There are only two counties in New York State that do not consider the Knights a charitable organization. One is Washington County, the other, Nassau County.

On March 9, 1952, the Robert W. Powell Council of the Knights of Columbus was officially established. The initial meetings were held at the American Legion Hall on Uniondale Avenue, in Uniondale. In 1961, the council bought the house which is now nestled in front of 517 Uniondale Avenue, and was used until the council members combined their talents, and actually constructed the building which now houses its members.

For the past 48 years, the Powell Council has served not only the local communities, but many others in need of help. If the Powell Council, and other K of C Councils cannot provide for needy families and mandated charities, then that responsibility falls to the Department of Social Services of Nassau County. There are at least 12 K of C Councils that have lost their buildings in the last six years. Most of the councils lost their buildings because of excessive taxes imposed by Nassau County. As an example, the Powell Council in Uniondale was assessed $42,000 a year. How could the council provide for the needy families and charities, and still pay an exorbitant tax? They couldn't, and as a result. the building is lost. Most of the buildings have been sold to churches, who have tax exempt status, which is known as a 501.C.3.

Here is a list of the councils who have lost their buildings:

Westbury #1012,Oyster Bay #1206, Port Washington #1227, Hempstead #1241, Archbishop Molloy #1974 in Freeport, St. Agnes #2548 in Rockville Centre, Alfred E. Smith #3005 in Elmont, Daniel J. Bradley Council #3102 in Baldwin, Robert W. Powell #3488 in Uniondale, Pope Pius XII #4422 in East Meadow, Fr.Thomas F.B.Carroll Council #4566 in Valley Stream, Joseph Gorman #5091 in Syosset, Joseph F. Lamb #5723 in Plainview, Fr. John Farrell #5962 in Hewlett, and Rev. Msgr. William Delaney #5983 in Plainedge.

If each council ministered to 50 families and charities, and can no longer provide food, clothing, or funds, where can they turn? The answer is the Department of Social Services. Imagine how this has affected the Nassau County budget. The solution could have been simple: a special tax rate for charitable organizations. Wouldn't it be to everyone's advantage for the county to collect $168,000 per year from the 12 councils, or receive no taxes from the 12 churches? It is time that both the members of the councils and the recipients of the charitable acts brought pressure in the County Legislature to change the tax laws that govern legitimate charitable organizations.