Diane Benczkowski for Cheektowaga

01/26/2026

TONIGHT is the first Cheektowaga Town Board Public Hearing on going over the property tax cap for 2028. Yes, they are already wanting to go over the tax cap for next year without even trying to control spending this year. They want to take the lazy way out and put the burden on us taxpayers instead of doing the heavy lifting themselves. I am urging all my friends and neighbors to PLEASE copy and paste this social media post and also send an email to the town Board at [email protected] and the Town Clerk at [email protected].

Dear Town Board Members and Town Clerk,

Please accept this email as my written public comment for the January 27, 2026 Town Board public hearing and include it in the official record.

New York State’s Property Tax Cap law exists to protect homeowners from excessive tax increases and to require fiscal discipline from local governments. Exceeding the tax cap should be rare and justified only by true necessity and not used as a budgeting shortcut.

An override of the tax cap for 2027 would place an unnecessary burden on taxpayers who are already facing rising costs and inflation. Before asking residents to pay more, the Town Board has an obligation to exhaust all responsible alternatives, including spending restraint, prioritizing needs over wants, and a thorough audit of every single voucher and invoice to avoid any wasteful spending.

Respecting the tax cap is about accountability and respect for taxpayers. I urge the Town Board to follow New York State General Municipal Law Article 2, §3-c and remain within the property tax cap for the 2027 budget.

Thank you for including this comment in the public record.

Sincerely,

01/13/2026

It is only January and this is for next years 2027 budget. Why would the Town Board start the year trying to spend more money for next year. Once they approve exceeding the tax cap, the sky’s the limit. It could be 8%, 12%, 20%. Don’t even open that door. Keep taxpayer protections in place.

Resolution 2026-22 is on the town board agenda for tonight, January 13 at 5:30 pm. The town board is seeking to have a public hearing on January 27, 2026 for the purpose of exceeding the tax cap for NEXT years budget (2027). The tax cap is the only protection to keep the town from spending and taxing. DONT give up your rights to keep the taxes under or at the cap. Once the cap is exceeded there are zero protections in place for taxpayers and you could be looking at double digit increases. In 2025 the supervisors budget proposed an 8% tax increase and the republicans made difficult choices to get the budget under the tax cap. Unfortunately there is no longer a republican board majority looking out for fiscal responsibility and common sense. Show up, speak up, email the town board.

11/21/2025

If you know someone who would enjoy this Thanksgiving dinner, please share it with them. Everyone is welcome.

11/15/2025

CHEEKTOWAGA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
SPECIAL CONCERT FUNDRAISER

Sunday, November 23, 2025 4:00 - 9:00
The Stage - 8166 Main Street - Williamsville
$15.00 advance
$20.00 at door

Link to purchase tickets: https://www.outhousetickets.com/events/cheektowaga-history-museum-benefit-2?fbclid=IwZnRzaAOFqFlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFxWVpmZzhFbUJwV3FZVG8wAR57a_QUu5-dpoFPNEcjc9DTFvOKqddPkUnu7VTwqSKJxPkRZ0ah0XBVUFrBqQ_aem_Gpqm40Mcnq8Y_02UxWHB8Q

All proceeds this year will be used to replace the heating & add air conditioning and fund the music rooms in the new Cheektowaga Town History Museum

Following is the tentative schedule:

3:00 Doors open
4:00 Band 1 – Sue Kincaid
4:25 announcements
4:35 Band 2 – Bleeding Hearts
5:00 announcements
5:10 Band 3 – Boogie Monsters
5:35 announcements
5:45 Band 4 - Funkensteins
6:10 announcements
6:20 Band 5 - Crunchy Frog
6:45 announcements
6:55 Band 6 - Rock Angel – with Maureen Gambino and other guest female vocalists -
7:25 announcements
7:35 Band 7 – C**k Robin – current group with Dave Bienik and other former members
8:05 Dave Bienik's – Lula’s Gun
8:20 announcements
8:20 basket raffle winners listed
8:30 Band 8 - White Lies
9:00 end of event unless some musicians want to play additional songs

The Stage will remain open until everyone decides to leave
Inductions will take place during announcements

11/13/2025

Tonight the Cheektowaga Republican’s Preliminary budget of a 2.58% tax increase (under the tax cap) became the final 2026 budget! We have one more year of relief before the democrats take over and want to raise your property taxes over 7.8% next year. I just cannot understand why he is against this reasonable tax increase and wanted it higher.

Cheektowaga town supervisor against 2.5 percent tax increase

11/06/2025

Tonight we have one more chance to keep Cheektowaga’s taxes under the tax cap at 2.58% and not at 8%. At 6:00pm in Council Chambers, there will be a public hearing on the 2026 preliminary budget. You can share your thoughts with the town board on the amendments made to the 2026 budget to keep it at 2.58%.

https://tocny.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2026-prelim-budget-public-2025-10-28.pdf

Cheektowaga Town Hall is located at 3301 Broadway. Again, tonight 11/6/25, there will be a 6pm budget hearing.

11/05/2025

Thank you, Cheektowaga.

Although we did not get the outcome we hoped for, I want to sincerely congratulate Stephen Nowicki on winning this election. I wish him success in serving our community.

To every resident who supported me, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your trust, your encouragement, and your belief in the work we have done together means more than words can express. I am truly grateful for the thousands of conversations we shared and the passion so many of you have for our town’s future.

A special thank-you to the incredible volunteers, friends, and family who poured their time, energy, and heart into this campaign. Your dedication is humbling, and I am proud of what we accomplished together.

While this chapter closes, my commitment to Cheektowaga does not. I will continue to advocate for responsible government, fiscal accountability, and a strong, supportive community where every resident can thrive.

Thank you again for your faith and friendship. God bless.

— Diane

11/01/2025

The decision of who should serve on the Cheektowaga Town Council is so very crucial to our town’s future. Your strongest consideration will never be forgotten and I will remain forever grateful. Thank you so much!

10/31/2025

Let's be honest here. Almost all property owners care about is are my taxes going up? Here are the 2 budgets. Both will increase your taxes.

With the Republican‘s budget, you would pay an additional $60.44. Or would you rather pay an additional $149.17 in Supervisor Nowak’s budget, a tax bill increase of 146.81% over the Republican’s increase.