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'Pay Your Taxes March' Planned Near Trump National In Briarcliff

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Audrey Gelfand wants Trump National in Briarcliff to pay its fair share in taxes.

Trump National in Briarcliff Manor

Trump National in Briarcliff Manor

Photo Credit: File
Donald Trump at Trump National in Briarcliff Manor last year.

Donald Trump at Trump National in Briarcliff Manor last year.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron

Gelfand will be one of the participants in the "Pay Your Taxes March"  on Wednesday, June 14 at Atria Field in Briarcliff Manor at 6:30 p.m. The event is being organized by Indivisible Briarcliff-Ossining, Trumpgolftaxes.com and Left of Main Street.

Marches are being planned across the country Wednesday, President Donald Trump's 71st birthday.

The Trump Organization has been fighting to reduce the assessed value on its golf course from $15.1 million to $7.1 million. Trump National pays about $500,000 in property taxes, $340,000 of which go to Briarcliff schools.

Gelfand, who can literally see Trump National from her house, said they are hoping to get at least 200 people to the march. 

"The valuation they've offered is absurd," Gelfand said. "We want to bring attention to what the Trump Organization is doing. They've been costing us so much money in legal fees. The school district has to put millions in reserves. They've increased our taxes to pay for this reserve fund."

The goal of the march is to ask the Trump Organization to offer an equitable assessment and also put pressure on a judge to have the case resolved. 

Gelfand said the march will also call attention to Diego Macencela, the Ossining teenager, who was detained by ICE the day of his senior prom and days before his graduation.

"Our thing is about money but this is someone's life," Gelfand said. "This is really important to us. We want to get this kid and his mom released. This is not the way we treat people."

Briarcliff Mayor Lori Sullivan said while the village will not participate in the rally, they are committed to reform to ensure private golf courses are properly assessed. Sleepy Hollow Country Club has also been fighting its assessment. 

The village board unanimously passed a resolution supporting private golf course valuation reform, proposed by Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (D-Ossining).

Galef's model would factor in account club revenue from catering halls, membership fees, fitness clubs and auxiliary buildings in its assessment. 

Trump, who owns an estate in Bedford, also owns Trump National Golf Club Hudson Valley in Stormville.

The Trump name also adorns Trump Tower At City Center in White Plains, Trump Plaza in New Rochelle, Trump Park Residences in Yorktown and the Donald J. Trump State Park on the Westchester/Putnam border.

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