GilfordGrok

I have long said that the main goal of my activism was to somehow cause the people of this town to think and ponder some of the issues- not what to think, mind you- just think. I believe that a majority of my fellow Gilford citizens, properly informed with the facts, will always end up doing the right thing, provided that they participate. The new SB2 process helps facilitate this with the convenience of all-day, private voting in the booth. I urge everybody to use this wonderful tool on Tuesday, March 13th.

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With eight candidates vying for 3 seats on a budget committee that some in town wish didn’t even exist, I’d say that a sleeping giant has been awakened. Nobody will ever say that the town of Gilford doesn't have a vibrant body politic. While I and others don't necessarily agree with how every bit of town and school business is conducted, at least when there is great involvement, as opposed to apathy, all is not lost.

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Heading into the final days before next Tuesday’s election, I would like to once more remind voters of the in-depth, good work that was performed by this year's budget committee. Remember, the main purpose of the Municipal Budget Committee is to study the budgets on behalf of the voters at-large, and make recommendations. By them doing so in open meetings, followed by the good reporting in all 3 local papers, the voters become aware of certain facts and nuances, enabling them to make better, more informed decisions in the voting booth.

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The people on the committee are comprised of a broad spectrum of townsfolk, with many points-of-view represented at the table. This year, a majority, including me, believed that several areas of the budget needed updating and revision, with a different approach taken in order to save money for the taxpayers who have watched their tax bills rise at an ever more rapid pace in recent years. These included salaries, benefits, and COLAs. The private sector has been struggling and adapting new solutions to skyrocketing costs of these items for years now, and it’s only proper that a review of the public side of the spectrum take place as well. The taxpayers deserve nothing less.

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As a member of the Gilford Budget Committee, I bring a point of view and a level of understanding about the process that enables me to be proactive in raising possible alternative approaches to paying for the delivery of town and school services for the residents of Gilford. Additionally, I have shown that I can always be counted on to ask the questions that, while sometimes difficult, need to be asked.

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I am quite proud of my service on the Gilford Budget Committee this past season. I need as many votes as possible to continue my work on behalf of residents and taxpayers on this vital committee in our town.