A Just Defeat For The Budget

To the Editor,

Now that this monstrous budget was justly defeated, will they nickel and dime us? Will all the soldiers come out of the woodwork? This budget is not about what the town needs; it’s what a special interest group wants. This oppressor has caused town debt and interest to skyrocket. Their salaries increase way above the inflation rate. Ten to 12 percent is the norm, not including the benefits. We are constantly threatened that teachers are leaving for larger salaries. I know that most of our teachers are dedicated and do their very best. It appears Mr Reed wants to reduce class size from 30 to 20. Children will learn better is their premise. There is no proof or evidence that this is so. But it sounds good. Result: more administrators, teachers, and higher union dues. We are not told anything about any advances the school children make in the ABC’s. We are told that $50 per month increase in our taxes is okay.

God bless Mr Reed for returning to the town some money that was over estimated in the last budget for roof repairs. Several years ago I wrote to The Bee that in all my years in Newtown no monies were ever returned to the town from a budget estimate. Maybe I rang a bell.

We are told that some Newtowners will have a hard time with the new budget. So will the elderly, as stated in The Bee’s editorial, and they should be helped. No mention is made of other Newtowners who think the proposed budget is a scam infested with cupidity. I am sure the people of Newtown don’t want charity, only fairness. They want to be able to live in Newtown as they always did. We don’t need slogans such as “Newtowners are buying bigger houses and cars,” which is false. If it is known that there are people here who need help paying their taxes, why do they keep increasing taxes?  Money has been thrown at education for the last 30 years and yet there is no proof or evidence that it improves education. It does improve the wealth of administrators, teachers, and unions.

Hopefully the budget will increase a half mill at most and sanity returns to this great town of Newtown.

Paul J. Fortugno

44 Philo Curtis Road, Sandy Hook                             April 27, 2000