Community Corner
Be an INFORMED voter- vote YES.
Neighbors,
A small group of people are pushing their version of the truth on you. (When you look at the number of "no" votes as compared to the total number of registered voters, it is a small population.) Please, take a moment to consider what the Town's Comptroller and the First Selectman have said about this budget, and the decision to raid the fund balance. Those articles can be accessed here: http://www.betheldemocrats.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Comptroller.pdf and http://www.newstimes.com/opinion/article/Matthew-Knickerbocker-Raiding-fund-balance-would-5623939.ph...
There are at least two sides to every story. Please consider BOTH, before making your decision.
They want you to vote no, to prevent a modest, about $10, increase in taxes. When we consider the future of our community, in MY opinion, it is a VERY small price to pay. We must ensure that our parks and streetscapes are maintained, our roads are adequately plowed, and our library has the funding it needs for it's programs.
These same people who are encouraging you to vote no, will be the first ones to complain when the roads are not adequately plowed, when their car hits a pot hole, or when town services have been reduced.
Separately, to those fortunate enough to have savings to fall back on-- you probably don't rely on that savings to balance your monthly budget. Instead, it's there in the event of an emergency, or in the event that significant repairs need to be made, or so that you have security in the future. Raiding the fund balance is akin to raiding your savings account. It's just not a good idea.
Please, consider both sides of the issue when you vote today. Our elected officials are our friends and neighbors. They are concerned about the value of their properties. They will share in the tax burden. They don't have a "dog" in the fight, except the preservation of the town.
Please, consider both sides of the issue. After doing so, I hope that you will agree, a YES vote is warranted.
