Windsor Locks-East Windsor Patch

Residents Send Windsor Locks Budget to Referendum

A spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year was schedule to be adopted and approved at Windsor Locks' annual budget meeting Monday, but the efforts… of hundreds of residents halted the budget's passing. According to Town Clerk Bill Hamel, t

WorldTraveler May 22, 2013 at 08:16 pm

Many towns across the region are being forced to hold referendums due to the poor economy,…Read More unemployment rate (8%+), more people on fixed incomes that are not keeping up with inflation, no or low hourly/salary increases, and a lack of additional personal funds to support increases. The local government as well as the state and federal, are constantly requesting more money and not focusing on trimming/cutting costs. The lack of town meeting attendance by residents has decreased dramatically as the people they elected do not listen to their concerns or suggestions or respond to their questions, especially if they challenge their agenda. Their efforts to actively participate in meetings is met with dismissal, disparaging remarks and possible abandonment or retaliation by other residents who feel strongly about an issue or by a public employee who feels that a resident is against them because they will not support an increase in their wages/benefits or additional programs/staffing; this is more aptly due to the lack of funds by the resident or belief that the budget items are not supported by facts. People need to depend on the information presented by those elected officials which is not always accurate but is presented as the only option that will greatly impact a town in a positive manner. Others will attempt to persuade by claiming that children will not have the opportunity to get a great education at failing local schools, the criminal element is preying on every street corner and in every park, and without passing this particular budget, everyone will suffer greatly. In reality, the children have the opportunity to get a great education with encouragement, involvement, and support by the parent/guardian. Just ask the parents/students who strive to make the honor roll why they are successful and setup a mentoring program for both parents and students who fall below expectations and maybe Saturday classes will not exist and longer school days will be in the past. In reality, crime has increased all over the country over the last five years due to the economy and other elements. Drugs will always be part of the American life and will continue to control some while others will grow and move on. Assaults were once termed as “breach of peace” and almost immediately dismissed but have become more evident and intolerable. Wherever there are hotels, there will be prostitution which has not proven to be a serious issue anywhere since arrests are non-existent and gang activity is typically centered around cities. Residents will need to make a decision primarily based on their own financial situation and affordability. If this budget does not pass, it doesn’t means that people don’t care but just can’t afford another tax increase at this juncture.

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