Hebron Dollars & Sense

I haven't had time to thoroughly go over all three budgets, but I have been to presentations for both RHAM and the BOE, and I've read Bonnie's introductory document to the town government budget. My immediate reactions:

I am one of those in town who is barely able to pay the bills as it is. Sometimes not, and I am forced to beg from my retired parents for help when emergencies arise. I cannot fit an extra $30 or so into my monthly budget (based on Bonnie's theoretical tax increase of $333 with the lowest proposed budget). With a mil rate increase in excess of 11 percent, I'd be seriously thinking about leaving town. Seriously. Honestly, at this point I'd be seriously thinking about leaving the state. Gas is going up. Oil is going up. We won't even be able to realize as much savings from sales and coupons anymore, if our esteemed new governor has his way.

RHAM's budget needs to go down. There is room for the BOE budget to go down. 3.25 percent increase for clerical in the town government? I haven't seen an increase in 4 years! We should be at rock bottom for all of our budgets right now. We are still in a recession. SMART boards and tables for the elementary schools? Laptop carts for the high school? Nice to haves, not essentials. And it is reprehensible to ask people like me...not to mention retired folks and all of the people who are forced to utilize the food pantry to put food on our tables...it is reprehensible to ask us to cough up more in order to buy nice-to-haves like this. SMART tables? Non-essential to a quality education. If the technology director thinks they are so nifty, I think she should pay for them out of her $100K-plus salary. Maybe we are falling behind in technology. Maybe not. But now is not the time to catch up, when people are already being bled dry.

Excellent comments taxpayer!!

Thanks Mombert,

And in case there is anyone wondering--No, I am not a retired person who no longer has children in the schools. I have one in each of the elementary schools, as a matter of fact. If I and everyone else in this town could afford it, I'd want them to have every nifty gadget available. But I cannot afford it right now, and neither can a lot of other people. Maybe, until our economy improves further, nifty gadgets such as SMART boards and tables should continue to be purchased via fund raising through the PTA. That way, those who can afford to contribute, can. I know there are plenty of folks in town who are lucky enough to be quite comfortable, even in this economy. But that's not everyone. Non-essentials should not be purchased via money that is needed, by some folks, to buy oil for their furnaces and food for their bellies. Neither should multi-million-dollar parks/athletic complexes, for that matter. But we're pretty much stuck with that one, now aren't we?

A lot of views on this topic, but only one comment. So what do the rest of you think? There is a budget meeting tonight at the library--7:30. If you feel like you need more info, this is an excellent oppty. to get it.

as NP states -- we have "lurkers". Hopefully your posts "Taxpayer" are making them aware that we are throwing money down a bottomless pit. Keep it up!!

Quite True Mombert, My own 2 Ears Have heard sum Of their comments, Mostly For More Spending

Sumthing For Them 2 Chew On as they Uriniece Our Meager Dollars Away


Get Off Your Pedestal Ellie, allabum & The rest Of Ya, this Is what The Real world Is Like Today

In Certain Dpts Where I work, They are Cutting People Down 2 20 Hours A week For The Time Beeing

Can't Collect Cuz If they Do, It Would Bring Their avg hrs Below 35, The threshold To Qualify For Bennys

And They Call It Voluntary My A$$

They Got Us Bent Over No Matter Which Way We Walk

After Ins Etc,What will These Folks Live On/Eat With


So Far OK For Me Cuz Of Easter, But after That, Our Whole Building Could Be In The Same Sinking Ship & Yet Still They Are Bringing In NEEDLE$$ & Clule$$ College Grads To Fill Mgnt/Sup Positions


Chew On That Ellie, Allabum & The Hboe, AVP Amy, Vonda & You 5 /6 figure Unneeded Admin & I Hope You are ALL contributing To The local food Bank, Cuz Many Of Us, Me Included, Just Might Have To Use It