"Official-up" time? Will they answer the need?
Most people have heard of the phrase "lawyer-up!". Well, time to "official up!".
Why? I'm hearing some rumbling going on - not just loud whispers and ill-tempered remarks but I believe it will be the movement of feet walking on over the Belknap County complex next week for the "public session" on the County Budget. And it isn't just me with the angst out there.
Again, the problem is with the County Budget. You know the one - the one that our County Convention - our State Reps - approved only AFTER pushing up the budget $700,000 over what the County Commissioners wanted.
Seems like the folks who've spent a lot of time crafting local Town or City budgets that are respectful of the taxpayer money but still providing services are a bit P.O'd and will be there on MARCH 4. I'm believing that a couple of the Gilford folks associated with our budget process are going to wander on over there. Sounds like a bunch of the Laconia folks are doing so as well. And a couple other towns (If I believe the Citizen report as well)
You know, it seems that the County is becoming, as Howie Carr might say, a "Outside Agency hack-a-rama". It doesn't matter what the Fed eligibility standards are, nor the State's - the County is going to meet the needs of everyone by lowering its standards. And do so regardless of the cost. Regardless of who it may hurt. After all, the extra spending has to come from taxes.
Laconia is under a tax cap - with the 13% more needed by taxes, that could mean layoffs in Laconia - did the County Convention care? If folks cannot pay their property tax bills (higher spending means higher taxes, after all), does the Convention care? Their officials are going to be there.
Here in Gilford, the additional amount works out to be about $34 / person - a family of four is $136.
Now let me turn the tables, as being one that is for less or stable government rather than more, I'm the one who gets nailed by being called cold hearted, misery, selfishnes, and others. So what's that example that is always thrown my way. Oh yeah - single mom, semi-skilled, with 3 kids, and earns $9/hour. So now, the County believes that they can spend that $136 from that single mom better than she can for her family? And remember, while she may not have real property, that property tax increase is going to be passed along with an increase in rent.
Why should the County be able to raise it's income by 13% without us, the taxpayers, having a say? Because we don't unless we show up.
Oh yeah, I forgot - "officialing up"! Will any of the Gilford Selectmen or the Town Administration be there to fight for the taxpayers of Gilford?
