No Mandate

For Reductions

To the Editor:

So, does the town now have a mandate to cut more services after a third budget defeat? Does an 86 vote plurality dictate additional reductions in services including road repairs, winter plowing, building maintenance, energy conservation, senior services, and educational services for students? Is an 86 vote plurality a mandate to change due to the “Political Capital” attained by 86 people?

Hmmm…it seems I have heard about “Political Capital” somewhere before! Perhaps it was at the national level. How is that working out? Anyway, I guess that the “Spirit of 86” will dictate massive reduction in town services and lower educational opportunities. It seems that they want to, especially since a member of the “Spirit of 86” has stated in the Danbury News-Times that the public schools should not offer “bells and whistles,” which I assume includes technological advances, special services and other “perks” to our children and that they should go to private schools…and have their parents pay the tuition. Now that is real “Political Spin.”

I am retired and I have lived in town for over 20 years. My children are grown and gone. I choose not to be short sighted by reducing the opportunity for current and future citizens and students. How can the “Spirit of 86” dictate the spiraling down of both town and educational services? Our town leaders must represented the “Spirit of 1776” and the needs of “We the People.” We are obviously split down the middle in this town regarding the budget. In my view, there is no mandate for further budget reductions.

Richard English

3 Curry Drive, Ridgefield                                                  May 23, 2007