The same Mayor who is demanding a local retirement community be put on the tax rolls and not be a tax exempt entity – may have indirectly enjoyed the benefits of tax-exempt status himself.
Susie Bouyea who is the wife of City of Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak – is part of the Bouyea family who owned Bouyea Baking Company in Plattsburgh.
Sources have confirmed — the former Bakery was granted tax exempt status when it was in operation. The exempt status meant the former Plattsburgh company did not have to pay the city any property or school tax.
Following its closer the bakery was sold for several million dollars. The proceeds from the sale were split among family members – which included Mayor Donald Kasprzaks wife – Susie Bouyea. An unconfirmed report estimates that Susie Kasprzak (Bouyea) received $6 million dollars as a result of the sale. Another Bouyea family owned business – Lake Side Container is reported to have tax exempt status as well.
Mayor Kasprzak has been outspoken in his quest to get the Lake Forest retirement community on the tax rolls. Kasprzak says the retirement community is operating more like a business and is making significant profits which he believes should be taxed.
Many residents of Lake Forest showed up at a public hearing at City Hall last week to object to the attempt to make the retirement home taxable.
Mayor Donald Kasprzak says that if Lake Forest really is a charitable, non-profit organization, it should be doing more to help seniors live there.
“I am shocked to receive information that they have $2.1 million in profits and only have $45,000 in charitable accounts,” he said.
“I have no problem with any entity making a profit, but I am confused as to how they can amass $2.1 million and still claim they are charitable.”
The mayor says that if Lake Forest were truly looking out for its residents’ best interests, the fees would be reduced.
“And they (Lake Forest) would pay taxes, as it looks like they certainly have the assets to do so.”
Kasprzak pointed out that 182 senior citizens who live in the city earn less than $26,000 per year and still pay taxes.
“I am looking out for these people as well as every other citizen of this city.”
Tags: City of Plattsburgh, Kasprzak, LAkeForest, Mayor, Mayor Kasprzak, Plattsburgh, press republican, Republicans, wiry, wptz
