Nothing pleased me more than to see the school budget defeated for the second time, in which case there never should have been a second vote. Do we get a vote for our elected officials when they lose at the polls the first time? A vote is a vote - it's the people's choice and it should have been loud and clear the first time, but apparently it wasn't.
The educators felt they failed to educate the public and thought they could get what they wanted the second time around. The fact that this budget was voted down a second time sends a pretty clear message to our irresponsible school officials. The taxpayers have had enough!
With gas at $4-plus a gallon, record food prices, rising insurance and medical bills, it's amazing that anyone would have the gall to try and slap us with another tax increase. It's not about the kids, it's about the salaries, the benefits and the pensions. It's pretty easy to spend someone else's money!
Even a remote thought of any tax increase in today's economy is a real slap in the face to taxpayers, and it shows little regard for those on a fixed income. How do you decide: Gee, should I turn on my heat for three days and maybe try to put some food on the table for the other four days? Hmmm, decisions, decisions -- but now quickly becoming a reality for many.
There are many states that don't have school taxes, or even have a state tax. and they don't have half the problems that New York state faces.
People better start thinking about who they put into office as our elected officials, because our government sure is failing us. Sure there are those who will say: “Hey, if you don't like it here, then move to one of those states where you're not taxed to death.” Yeah well, easier said then done, and besides if that's the attitude you possess, then you're missing the whole point here.
If you're looking for solutions, why don't you start at the top? Why don't you take a cut in pay J.D., because there's no superintendent worth your kind of money. Talk about overpaid! If that's not good enough, maybe you should consider selling all of those fancy illuminated signs you installed at all the schools. I'll bet those cost the taxpayers about $10,000 each. A perfect example of wasteful spending. Then there's the whole issue of the artificial turf #- oh God, let's not even go there.
If anyone cares to discuss this matter with me personally, please feel free to do so!
Joe Locastro
Auburn
With gas at $4-plus a gallon, record food prices, rising insurance and medical bills, it's amazing that anyone would have the gall to try and slap us with another tax increase. It's not about the kids, it's about the salaries, the benefits and the pensions. It's pretty easy to spend someone else's money!
Even a remote thought of any tax increase in today's economy is a real slap in the face to taxpayers, and it shows little regard for those on a fixed income. How do you decide: Gee, should I turn on my heat for three days and maybe try to put some food on the table for the other four days? Hmmm, decisions, decisions -- but now quickly becoming a reality for many.
There are many states that don't have school taxes, or even have a state tax. and they don't have half the problems that New York state faces.
People better start thinking about who they put into office as our elected officials, because our government sure is failing us. Sure there are those who will say: “Hey, if you don't like it here, then move to one of those states where you're not taxed to death.” Yeah well, easier said then done, and besides if that's the attitude you possess, then you're missing the whole point here.
If you're looking for solutions, why don't you start at the top? Why don't you take a cut in pay J.D., because there's no superintendent worth your kind of money. Talk about overpaid! If that's not good enough, maybe you should consider selling all of those fancy illuminated signs you installed at all the schools. I'll bet those cost the taxpayers about $10,000 each. A perfect example of wasteful spending. Then there's the whole issue of the artificial turf #- oh God, let's not even go there.
If anyone cares to discuss this matter with me personally, please feel free to do so!
Joe Locastro
Auburn
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brew1234 wrote on Jun 29, 2008 4:33 PM:
anonymous wrote on Jun 29, 2008 12:07 PM:
cm wrote on Jun 29, 2008 11:04 AM:
I am willing to bet if you speak to teachers many will say "why is the BOE wasting money on xxxx when we need xxxx?"
I wish some teachers would speak up and not fear for their jobs by doing so..They are in the "fields", they know what they need and what is wasteful..
Maybe the CITIZEN paper here could ask teachers to drop notes in the BOX out front, without names and the paper could then forward what these teachers are wanting/needing in print!!
In my area yesterday I spoke to a teacher here-who stated they have XXX amount of dollars to spend on XXX thru the summer for the summer programs.
EX: they are allowed to take 60 kids bowling, they only have 40--the money CANNOT be used for anything else only bowling trip OR its deducted next year.
well of course they dont want to lose it, so they invite friends/etc. to meet the 60.
They would rather say 40 can go so we are using the EXTRA to add a craft program..BUT NOT ALLOWED this money can only be for bowling.
IF the teacher lets the money go back and next year there are 50 kids well then 10 WONT be ALLOWED TO GO..
These budgets are done a year ahead, the BOE's allow no room for adjustments/for less kids or more kids/for another program added...
THIS NEEDS to be changed!!! "
brew1234 wrote on Jun 29, 2008 2:27 AM: