BELLOWS FALLS — In answer to Ray Massucco's letter [“BF budget foes should become part of the solution earlier in the process,” Sept. 25]:
Shame on you. It's not the taxpayers' job to do the budget.
I attended a budget meeting with ideas and was not allowed to speak by the village president; I raised my hand for over 30 minutes and was never called upon. I had thoughts and ideas that would lower costs and raise revenue and yet they didn't want to listen.
At Village Meetings, the only thing that can be done from the floor is to suggest an amount, not any line items. I suggested a line item one year and it passed, yet the approved money was never used for that purpose! This village and town government does not respond to certain areas of its constituents.
You are totally out of touch if you actually think village trustees did any serious work on this budget. Having served twice on that board, once as a trustee for 10 years and then as village president, I can tell you they did next to nothing to lower taxes and increase revenue.
Your opinion of the quality and quantity of the public services (fire and police) and mine are totally opposite. I feel I have more of an inside view than you have ever had, and I think major changes can be made without lowering the level of service.
But you have never been a courageous or daring individual who would be willing to look beyond status quo in this local government.
I am very angry at your criticisms, which are based on misconceptions and ignorance.
The Citizens' Audit Group has barely been formed, never mind held a meeting. Its members have seen neither a document, nor paper, nor ledger. Their job will be to look at all financial records of all departments of both village and town to, number one, determine the integrity of the numbers and the balances, then, number two, to dedicate time to try to find every possible way to increase revenue and decrease expenditures while maintaining safety, service, and community!
We can continue to live in 1960 or 1980, but this Village cannot afford it, and the alternative options are more than acceptable for the demographics of 2014 if a person takes the time to look.
I was terribly proud of the number of people who attended the Village Meeting. We both know, however, that those who spoke did not represent the majority. I believe that if the meeting took place during the day on an Australian ballot, the vote would have gone differently. As it was, nine votes made the difference.
I would have proposed a $300,000 reduction in the budget, and I could have shown how it could be done even without cutting the Fire Department. Revenues have to be increased and that also can be done.
But not by maintaining status quo. You are right when you state there has to be some pain to make a difference. There is no one in Town Hall or on either Board with the motivation, courage, or intelligence to do the work.