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By LAUREN VILBERT
PLATTSBURGH — Local residents won't shed any tears now that the governor has dropped a plan to require that everyone get new license plates.
Under Gov. David Paterson's proposal, everyone would have been required to purchase a new license plate at a cost of $25. For an additional $20, they could keep their same plate number.
The requirement, scheduled to start April 1, was projected to make $129 million for the state.
But a public outcry against the idea prompted Paterson, on Sunday, to say that he would drop the proposal if legislators come up with other ways to make up the revenue.
Local residents don't think much of the plan.
"It is a novel way for the state to raise revenue, but I honestly don't agree with it," said Mike Waldron of Plattsburgh. "I think there should be an option for people to purchase new plates, which I think would make this more fair."
Francis MacAvoy of Chesterfield agrees. "I would like the option to get new plates. I understand the state is in such a dire state because of the economic meltdown. But, it always falls back on us to pay back the messes; the rich don't pick up the pieces."
"I think it is ridiculous," said Nathan Liberty of Plattsburgh. "It is a waste of time and money. I would like to see exactly how and what the money is being used for."
Kari Kipp of Plattsburgh was ambivalent about the plate plan. "On the one hand, it is one way to get revenue for the state, but people could use that $20 for ... groceries."
MacAvoy and Kipp talked about the hassle of the license-plate change, noting that the costs will add up with changing the registration and updating the car insurance.
David Gadway of Plattsburgh isn't against the requirement completely.
"I would like to keep my old number and not have to pay an additional fee. I want my old number because I remember it; I don't want to change it.
"I don't think people in New York should complain about the taxes here. It could be worse; in Maine, the value of the car is taxed."
The new plate is reminiscent of the plates used between 1973 and 1986, with "New York" in gold and the blue letters and numbers printed in the center of the plate with a dark-yellow background. "Empire State" is written on the bottom of the plate in dark-blue letters, and a dark-blue banner lines the top of the plate.
"I like the (look of the) new plates," Kipp said. "It reminds me of when I was young. It was the same plate they had when I got my license."
Gadway, on the other hand, doesn't like the design.
"I think they should come up with something snazzier if they are going to change the plate."
Liberty doesn't see any problem with the current plates.
"It is a waste of money to go back to the design of old plates; they should just stick with the same design now."
