Depends On What The Meaning Of The Word ‘No’ Is

To the Editor:

Congratulations to The Bee for your outstanding coverage of the budget process and the Legislative Council meetings. Your writing is not only informative, but a fabulous source of amusement when I really need some toward the end of the week. The description of government at work a few weeks ago was a great example, as one of our council members spewed that if Mr. Amaral was concerned about budgetary appropriations he should cut the price of a gallon of gas at his business. That kind of government leadership just cracks me up. But I digress.

Your closing of this week’s article quoted Mr Jacobs as saying, “I’m not convinced the No vote was a directive to cut the budget.” The article identifies others attending the meeting whom, like Mr Jacobs, seem to be confused about the meaning of the word No. This was the usual great fun for me, as I recalled having to explain the meaning of the word No to my kids when they were little, and I was using that word with them for the first time. It is my firm conviction that a high percentage of the Newtown voters really do mean the same thing when they say No to the budget.

No (in a budget vote context) means stop, please. Stop increasing spending faster than costs are rising. Stop manipulating budgets with shifts from short-term expense to long-term bond issues. Stop raising our taxes wildly. It is really that simple. And contrary to the suggestion of “Others” attending the meeting, be assured that No does not mean that we wish you would spend even more, and if you would just pass a larger budget we would run out and vote Yes.

As Mr Amaral suggests, spending increases should mirror the rate of inflation. De facto, any higher levels of spending fund additional services from a bigger government, which it seems the voters are also saying No to. The inflation rate is actually below three percent. I will turn out to vote No until I see a budget that is increasing by less than three percent. Mr Jacobs, that will be what my upcoming No vote means.

Sincerely, Mark E. Mullins

Autumn Ridge Road, Newtown                                       May 11, 2007