Last words of Voting Advice 2009
As the voters of Gilford head to the polls on Tuesday I would advise them to take a copy of their last tax bill with them. How much the next tax bill goes up will be a direct result of their voting choices. It was very disappointing to read the unsubstantiated claims from our Welfare Director regarding “outside agencies”. There have been endless hours of debate on this issue and throughout it all, not one piece of evidence has been produced to show that cost would increase if we don’t fund these agencies. In fact, the evidence supports just the opposite. Last year Gilford voters rejected “paying more” toward these agencies which actually resulted in about $50,000 in savings. I think most voters are aware of the fact that they are paying for these agencies in their County, State and Federal taxes already. There is no reason to add to your property tax burden any further. We now know that Obama is going to fund these programs like never before which will be reflected in your State and Federal taxes where it belongs. Please take the Budget Committee’s recommendation and vote NO on Warrant Articles #26 thru #29 (Outside Agencies).
On the school district ballot we have three candidates running for two seats. With some trepidation I endorse the two incumbent candidates, Sue Allen and Kurt Webber. I know they have a history of embracing spending ideas but to their credit they at least use factual information to arrive at their conclusions. It’s actually hard to imagine but the alternative candidate, Debra Zimmermann, advocates for even more spending. She favors Warrant Articles V and Vll which request spending on unneeded positions due to student decline. Apparently, a student to teacher ratio of just 10:1 isn’t low enough for her.
There’s an innocent looking Warrant Article (VI) which, if passed, establishes an account for privately donated money toward development of the Gilford Meadows. Make no mistake about it; this is the seed money for a big huge mess of a project that will be turned over to the taxpayers at some point. There are environmental, safety and infrastructure problems associated with the project. This will cost a fortune with absolutely no guarantee that a good rainy season won’t simply wash it all away. This money would be better spent for fields at the school campus. Your NO vote can help prevent a disaster!
Phyllis Corrigan, I am truly sorry and shocked you don’t approve of my characterization of you as “one of the sweetest ladies I know”. I asked my wife if it was appropriate to refer to you with that description. My wife spends a great deal of time with ladies in Altrusa Clubs throughout the country. That characterization is actually a compliment in those circles (as I had intended it to be). I only wished to point out the BudCom position is better suited for someone else. If a reference like “one of the sweetest ladies I know” is somehow the uncivil tone of the Budget Committee you are referring to then perhaps you’ve made that point better than I did.
On a final note; please feel free to thank our Town Clerk/Tax Collector, Denise Morrissette, for stepping up for the residents of Gilford. Denise refused to accept a raise this year. This selfless act is a direct result of seeing the effects of this economy on the front lines. Denise and her staff do a wonderful job of handling our citizens who are struggling to meet their tax obligation.