A Child’s View Of The Budget

To the Editor:

Tuesday, May 6, the budget of Newtown was voted down once again. I was utterly astonished to find that over 5,000 went to the polls and by a margin of 165 votes, the budget was voted down. From what was said in the newspaper I have gotten the idea that those people who voted No have a very exaggerated idea of how the budget not passing would benefit them.

I have read the newspaper editorials and am utterly ashamed of what people have said. I applaud those additional 700 who voted Yes this time around. I would like those who voted No to come back to reality and realize that the benefit that they think they will receive is really exaggerated, and that the idea that people “won’t be able to afford the extra tax” is clearly ridiculous. For those of you opposed to the budget, look long and hard at your opinion. When your taxes go up, it’s because your home’s value has increased. If your taxes are up $2,300, it’s because your house is now worth $100,000 more. Most sensible people would gladly pay $2,300 on an extra $100,000 of property value. If you are planning to move, think of the profit you will make from that. And if that’s not the case (if you’re not planning to move), and you still don’t want your taxes to benefit this town’s children, then consider this — maybe you shouldn’t live in a family friendly community.

Really, people have to open their eyes and look at the long run. Those who aren’t involved in the school system because they don’t have children that young — remember this might be your grandchild’s community one day. And won’t your sacrifice benefit a greater cause — the education of Newtown’s children? And for those of you with kids in the school system — what are you really concerned about? Your kid’s education or your taxes? You are getting a bargain. Your family, most likely, pays for less in taxes than it costs to educate your children each year. My family knows people who have lost their jobs recently or have been laid off, and yet they’re still out there voting Yes, and supporting their children.

At best, your No vote might save you a couple hundred dollars. So if you are voting No because you think you will be affected more than our town’s children, please take your head out of the clouds and listen to us, the children, the ones who will feel the real impact of the budget not passing. We’re the ones who will have less teachers, larger classes, fewer electives, fewer challenging classes such as Discovery, no sports and, therefore, little team involvement and, therefore, fewer leadership opportunities through sports and clubs, no indoor pool for the winter, and much more. Now do you get the picture? They say ignorance is bliss — well, they’re wrong. Don’t vote the budget down again next year, or else your ignorance will cause our whole town, including the schools, to suffer again, and maybe then you’ll feel the pain — we certainly will.

Jenna Ruddock

Sixth Grade Student

14 Equestrian Ridge Road                                             May 14, 2003