Well, Ms. LaLibertie lays it all out right from the get-go, doesn't she? With a title of
Disgusted with Gilford’s Budget Committee
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.
Continue reading "Deb LaLibertie - Gilford Steamer Letter of 11.21" »
