Deb LaLibertie - Gilford Steamer Letter of 11.21
Well, Ms. LaLibertie lays it all out right from the get-go, doesn't she? With a title of
I can see where this is going, quickly. Well, since she has taken the time to write, I shall reply. The only caveat, as in any Post here at GilfordGrok, I am speaking for me and not necessarily for the Budget Committee ("BudComm") as a whole (that only comes from the BudComm Chair).
Enough is enough. At what point will certain members of the Gilford Budget Committee realize their role in town government? At what point will our town Selectmen reign in these members?
And this is exactly the point, and she has it exactly backwards. Without going into the RSAs, here is the lesson - the Board of Selectmen ("BOS") sets policy and is responsible for overall management of the Town, holding the Town managment and employees accountable and they themselves are accountable to the voters.
The BudComm is separate from and is not accountable to the BOS - only to the taxpayers. We take the budget prepared by the BOS, analyze and make changes to it, and then present our version to the taxpayers (not to the BOS).
As opposed to what Ms. LaLibertie believes, the taxpayers will tell the BudComm their desires by either voting for or against the budget we present. The BOS has no role in this process (excepting the BOS representative to the BudCOmm - which is Connie Grant at this time [and for whom I have had nothing but admiration during this process]).
So Ms. LaLibertie, seeing that you have not done your homework, I hope this helps to shed light on how this piece of your local government operates. If you review this, you can see my thoughts on the BOS in this process so far.
People who live in Gilford choose to do so because they want a certain quality of life. We live in Gilford because it is one of the most amazing communities in America. We need only to look around us to see the many fine qualities that our town boasts. We enjoy services and community benefits that are unmatched in our region, and an idyllic setting that affords us opportunities every day that other people enjoy only a week or two at a time on vacations.
I agree with this totally! The problem, and it is a serious one, is that the cost of having this is out of line with the overall median income of the town families. Click on Statistics to your right and review the tables.
And yet, given the recent actions of the Budget Committee, I am certain this quality of life is quietly being eroded. As evidenced at the meeting on Tuesday, some members of the committee are hastily and aggressively cutting budgets and programs without looking at the long term effects. They are arbitrarily making decisions that are not in the best interest of the town, but rather meeting their own personal agendas.
Boy, this will take some time.....
First, there is nothing quiet about this. The Citizen, the Daily Sun, and the Gilford Steamer all have been reporting on this year's budget process. Plus, listen to the radio show "Meet The New Press" (airing on WEMJ 1490 AM, Saturdays from 2-4pm and podcasts here) - the budget process is discussed most broadcasts.
Fact is, I invite you to come into the studio - we are a "no sandbag zone" - no monologues allowed, but we do look for civilized discussions. We do disagree with you, but you can try to persuade us otherwise - or at least, listen to us.
Hastily? I think not. All of the BudComm members spend a lot of time meeting with the departments in subcommittee, discussing the results of those interviews, and then making recommendations to the BudComm as a whole. Frankly, I am amazed at how much time it takes to do this responsibility, thoroughly and well. No, nothing is done in a hasty manner.
I will also point out, Ms. LaLibertie, that compiling all of the data for the Rankings that the Wage And Salary Comparison SubCommittee has presented took no small amount of time. Again, click on Statistics to your right and take the time to review them in a non-hastily manner.
Aggressive? Let me issue a challenge to you. Go ahead....see what the BOS budget was when presented to the BudComm, subtract out the cuts that the BOS themselves have done since that time (either from better data that has arisen since the process started or from BOS policy changes), and then do the math and see how little has been really cut. Aggressive? 20-30% is aggressive; we are not aggressive.
Arbitrarily? No - see above.
Personal Agendas? I am not on the BudComm to be "someone". I am not embarking on a path to become a career politician. I have a problem with budgets that are consistently several times the rate of inflation over the last 4 years (try an average of 15%). Thus, I am trying to slow the rise of the Town's budget to where it is more sustainable long term without changing the nature or demographics of the Town.
I am on the BudComm not because of a personal agenda or a personal vendetta. Engineers attempt solve problems - that is all that I wish to do.
Now I suspect that there will be some in Gilford who would perceive my position as being insensitive to the needs of the economically disadvantaged. This could not be farther from the truth. I completely understand that there are folks in our community who live on a fixed income; and that there are others who are struggling for a variety of reasons. Taxation is a burden to all in a variety of ways, and the elderly and disadvantaged are particularly challenged to meet their responsibility.
Now (and in general) those that are on the receiving end of paid taxes often see a slowing of increases as cuts. That is so wrong from so many aspects, but that is gist for another Post. Here (as an example), instead of a 10% rise, I want a 6%. Budget still go up - there is NO cut - but just at a slower pace.
I am glad to see that you see it as a burden, but as a necessary one. Why price the folks that you are trying to show compassion for out of Gilford?
As a member of a charitable organization here in the community that is often approached for money, I know all too well the needs that exist around us. I just want to be sure that members of the budget committee attempt to help these folks in a thoughtful and educated way.
Then often, one of the best things that one can do is to allow these folks to keep more of their money in their own pocket.
Simply saying that, "I will cut taxes" without considering future ramifications to the community as a whole is short sighted and self-serving.
If that was the case, you would be right. However, it is not the case, and you are very wrong to assume such.
