GilfordGrok

Guest post by John O'Brien (Selectman and Selectboard representative to the Budget Committee)

I want to thank you for your personal review of my recent vote and YOUR opinion of how I should vote.  It’s certainly comforting to know that there is another standard (yours) that I should follow in using my voting privilege.  However, I am disappointed that I don’t get an “at-a-boy” when my vote agrees with yours.  Interestingly, you and I have voted positively on just about all the issues of the 2010 budget.
 
While I was not “whispering” about your lack of attendance at meetings, there was a question in my mind of your ability to come to a conclusion on the merits of the proposed Lacrosse program.  Evidently, in your opinion the discussions/debates during the committee meetings are worthless and we should just fall back to your sub-committee of one to form our votes.  However, in speaking of Lacrosse:

• You were not there when we discussed that this sport is growing in interest in this area.
• You were not there when we discussed that the number of students currently involved in this sport numbers 70, which is more than football.
  
• You were not there when we discussed that both young men AND women are involved in this activity.
• You were not there when the athletic director and the school principal reported that grades were improved for students wanting to be involved in these sports
• You were not there when we discussed that there is fundraising in place that is helping students with safety equipment and uniforms.
  

However, I am now better informed from your report that the Lacrosse players don’t pick up divots on the shared field……(you based you vote on that?).  And, you are correct, I have had some questions about spending in the schools but when we can achieve some balance of support and morale building for a large number of male AND female students and give them a productive after school activity, I’m all for it!

It is very sad and unfortunate that you have to resort to “name calling” and “personal attacks” for folks that have a different opinion from yours.  I expect that your other “peers” on the budget committee did not appreciate being referred to as “suspects”.  The other members of the BC respect your vote, you should respect theirs!  Also, I believe it was you that wrote earlier that your fellow committee member, Ms. Corrigan, should tend to her garden rather than be involved on the committee.  And evidently, you have not followed our votes well enough as Phyllis and I have not agreed on a number of issues over the years.   Additionally, you did not report that as a Selectman, I was supportive and involved in recommending a flat 2010 budget to the committee.  And, being on the Budget Committee for a number of years, I continually supported and was greatly involved in a reduction of the town budget every year.  But I never was fortunate enough to receive an official Stewart published approval.  Perhaps I can look forward to that?

Mr. Stewart, it would be interesting to know your overall bottom line budget strategy goal.  Is it your goal to cut budgets 10%, or is it 20%, or is it 30%?  Do you want to eventually cut services to the people of Gilford?  Is your intent to totally demoralize the employees (which also affects services) and the people of Gilford?  Is it your plan to make Gilford only a “town” and not have any sense of community?  Yes, times are tough!  But let’s insure that we don’t add to the tough times by making low dollar amount cuts that affect morale for everyone any more than necessary.  Let’s insure that we look at budgets with a watchful eye and cut costs of frivolous spending.        

John T. O’Brien
Selectman’s Representative to the Budget Committee