Stop Party Politics, Vote "Yes" on Budget - Ray Pietrorazio

I've heard two pretty alarming comments made recently by some Middlebury residents that I would like to share with the voters.

 1. "Some voters are bent on doing whatever they can to see Tom Gormley fail, and that includes either not voting or voting "no" on the budget."

2. "Some voters will not support a town budget proposal until the disparity between Middlebury and Southbury over the Regional School District 15 is corrected" (even though there is no relationship between the Region 15 finance system and Middlebury's town budget).

I hope there is little truth to these statements. Party politics (or to phrase it better, petty pickiness) has shrouded just about everything the town has done, or tried to do, for the past few years without reference to, or consideration of, the common good. The present economic condition of our town, state and country is quite dire, and acting like children isn't helping. Just how long must this go on?

Tom Gormley is an honest, dedicated first selectman and public servant who does his level best to deal with the many problems that confront the town at this time. His administration literally walked into a beehive of political and financial issues, none of which are Tom's doing. Yet, there are those who are doing their best to try and trip him up, embarrass him or just get under his skin.

I say enough is enough!

One way we can confront this situation is for all eligible voters to get to the referendum Tuesday, Sept. 30, and pass this budget! The Middlebury Board of Finance has worked diligently on our behalf, as has the administration, to be fiscally responsible with the budget. We're at a point now that if we cut further into this budget, we do it at our peril next year and thereafter.

I believe this budget is devoid of any fat and developed with all our concerns and responsibilities taken into consideration. With the power of the ballot we can take charge of our town again. Please vote YES to adopt this budget. We can't afford not to.

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