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necessary legal opinion, financial analysis, eligibility information, and proposed resolution available for the October meeting. The December 1 exemption filing date is rapidly approaching. Qualifying veterans and their families need sufficient time to understand the application process, determine what documentation will be required, and submit everything necessary by that date. The City should therefore be prepared to provide clear public guidance immediately following any decision by the Council – including eligibility requirements, required documentation, where applications must be submitted, and who veterans should contact for assistance. Because the City, Erie County, and the Lackawanna City School District must each act separately for the exemption to apply to their respective portions of the property‐tax bill, I am also requesting confirmation that the Mayor and appropriate City officials are actively communication with the Lackawanna City School District and Erie County. These conversations should begin now so that the three taxing jurisdictions are not working independently while the December 1 date draws closer. The Mayor’s outreach should not be limited to notifying veterans’ organizations. I respectfully request that her office take an active leadership role by bringing the City, School District, County, Assessor, Law Department, and veterans’ representatives together to address adoption and implementation in a coordinated and timely manner. The veterans who spoke at the September 8th meeting shared deeply personal and emotional testimony about the lasting consequences of service‐connected disabilities. Their words deserve more than acknowledgement; they deserve prompt and meaningful action. Today, on September 11, we mark 25 years since the attacks that changed our country and lives of an entire generation of service members. We repeatedly promise that we will |never forget.” This is an opportunity for the Lackawanna to demonstrate that those words carry genuine meaning – not only through ceremonies and statements, but through action for veterans who returned home permanently and totally disabled because of their service. Please confirm that this matter will be placed on the October Common Council agenda and advise what actions are being taken to ensure that the necessary legal, financial, administrative and intergovernmental work will be completed beforehand. Thank you for your attention to this important and time‐sensitive matter. I look forward to your response. LYNETTE SIKORSKI, RESIDENT Moved by Marrano second by Muflahi to receive and file. Yeas: Muflahi, Anderson, Meegan, Surdyke, Marrano Carried 5‐0 Steve Mandy, resident requests the City of Lackawanna give him his detective badge. 12. Desmond Law Lackawanna City Council 714 Ridge Rd. Lackawanna, NY 14218 Re: Steve Mandy Dear Council Members: