PRESS RELEASE
April 8, 2008

Legislature Approves Cold War Veterans Exemption

The Rensselaer County Legislature unanimously approved a local law that enables the county to offer a limited property tax exemption for veterans of the Cold War, Chairman of the Legislature Neil J. Kelleher announced.

The local law, which was approved at the April 8 legislative meeting, will go into effect in 2009. Veterans who served between September, 1945 and December, 1991, are eligible for the exemption.

“This exemption will recognize the many Rensselaer County residents who stepped forward and served our nation during the Cold War. We appreciate the unanimous support by everyone in the Legislature,” said Vice Chairman of the Legislature Thomas Walsh Sr.

“The Cold War was a pivotal moment in world history, and helped end the threat of communism and protected the free world,” added Majority Leader Robert Mirch.       

The criteria for the Cold War exemption was set forth by New York State and introduced by County Executive Kathleen Jimino. Veterans would be required to apply for the exemption through their local assessor’s office to receive the exemption.

“It’s all about saying thank you to our veterans. This kind of recognition is important and well-deserved,” added Kelleher.

Along with approving the Cold War exemption, legislators approved the purchase of new handicap accessible van for use by the Veteran Service Agency for transport of veterans. Funding for the van, which is used to bring veterans to medical appointments and events, comes from the state Division of Veterans Affairs.

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