Residents, Officials Weigh in on Nyack Center Audit

New York State released an audit Wednesday revealing Nyack taxpayers had inappropriately paid $216,026 for non-local campers to attend a subsidized summer camp at the Nyack Center between 2008 and 2011.

The fiscal investigation held both the Nyack Center and village lawmakers accountable for what local officials called an "oversight." The non-local campers hailed from South Nyack, Orangetown and Clarkstown, and many of them attended Nyack Schools.

While a majority of Nyack taxpayers are miffed, residents fall on separate sides of the argument: some are indignant about tax dollars being misspent, and others believe the camp, mainly for low-income children, should support kids outside of the village's borders.

"The Nyack Center is a wonderful place in our community... and without it the consequences would be horrific," said Peter Lang, an Upper Nyacker who has supported the Center financially over the past several years.

"While the funds were misused, they were not misappropriated," he added. "It's wrong, but it's not criminal.

Scott Behson, a Nyack resident, echoed Lang's appreciation of the non-profit organization—but was not as swift to forgive.

"It seems that no institution in Nyack can follow what our governor most eloquently stated: 'We need to use government to help people, while also respecting the tax dollar.'"

Behson suggested the village reduce its contribution to Nyack Center by $216,026 over the next four years, and return the funds to local property owners in the form of rebates.

"The Nyack Center is a great organization that helps many," he added. "[But] taxes from Nyack property owners are used like a piggy bank. The school district, library, village, police and fire taxes have all gone up over the rate of inflation every year for the past seven [years]."

On Wednesday, mayor Jen Laird-White said she and other village officials have been working to remedy the issue since June of 2011. As a result, low-income families from South Nyack, Orangetown and Clarkstown who relied on the subsidized summer camp will lose their "safety net," she said.

South Nyack does contribute a flat fee of $3,000 each year to the Nyack Center, though it is not based on the number of children attending the camp.

"It's not according to this child or that child," said South Nyack mayor Patricia DuBow. "[But] we've done it every year for a long time."

Kim Cross, the Nyack Center's executive director, said the non-profit is seeking alternative ways and funding to keep out-of-town, low-income kids enrolled.