Coventry Council has reworked the Budget.
Budget Proposal calls for ZERO TAX INCREASE
TAXPAYERS MUST VOTE ON JUNE 30th to accept
I need to ask for your help in spreading the word on the IMPORTANCE of every registered voter attending the
Financial Town Meeting on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 at 7pm in the High School Auditorium.
Many people are under the false impression that the Council’s adoption of a no tax increase budget, means that it is set in stone. This is NOT the case.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO SEE YOUR TAXES GO UP, YOU MUST ATTEND AND VOTE AT THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING
CAST YOUR VOTES AGAINST CHANGES TO THE BUDGET
CAST YOUR VOTES FOR PASSAGE OF A ZERO TAX INCREASE BUDGET PRESENTED BY A MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL.
In Coventry, the PEOPLE adopt a budget at the annual financial town meeting, not the Council. This is mandated by our Town’s Charter.
The Council only works to develop what is presented at this meeting. There will be a vote taken, and every registered voter has a right to weigh in.
There are many special interests groups lobbying against what the Council has adopted, and they will be at this meeting to add money, increasing taxes, by their votes. You will hear many exaggerations of this budget’s impact on Town Services – these are misleading, at best. Here are a few and the truth of these matters:
1) The summer camp program run through Parks and Recs is going up from some $80 to $175.
a. THE TRUTH IS THIS FEE REPRESENTS THE CHARGE FOR AN ENTIRE 7 WEEKS OF FULL DAY CAMP! WE HAVE BEEN CHARGING ONLY $12 per week for full day camp! We all know paying the employees and all other related expenses costs far far more than $12 – and there is no other organization around that offers this great of a deal. The fee has been increased to $25 per week in the proposed budget….. Still a really discounted rate for full day camp. The program is 7 weeks long – for a total of $175.
2) Raising the rate on Day Camp will make it impossible for families to afford.
a. THE TRUTH is that if a family cannot afford $25 per week, and is in need of camp in order to work, they can apply for Assistance through the Department of Human Services Waterman Fiske Assistance Program, established earlier this year by this Council. If qualified, the program can pay for the entire fee on behalf of a family.
3) Outside Organizations losing funding.
a. THE TRUTH IS that the Town of Coventry gives away approximately $100,000 each year to help support outside organizations. When times are tough, and we are asking town employees to take salary freezes, it would seem appropriate to stop making charitable contributions. The majority of this council eliminated the entire contribution budget, and did not single out any particular organization. It is my hope that contributions can be restored when the economy improves.
4) Funding for private sports organizations that use the Parks and Recs fields.
a. THE TRUTH is that the Parks and Recs department, through its own budget (and not the Town’s “Contribution” budget noted in (3) above), has made donations in the past to support private youth leagues. The Council did not instruct that these contributions be cut. The director of this department was given a figure for his budget and he alone decided to eliminate these donations, rather than trim other expenditures, or increase fees on programs (such as the day camp, dance lessons, and other programs offered through Parks & Rec for a nominal fee).
5) PAYING FOR TRASH PICKUP.
a. THE TRUTH: This budget does not include paying for trash pickup. This service will continue to be provided and supported by tax dollars.
6) CLOSURE OF OAK HAVEN SCHOOL.
a. THE TRUTH: The Town council does NOT have the authority to close schools. The Council sets the overall budget for the school department – this year, some $62,000,000. The school committee is the elected body who decides if a school will remain opened or closed.
7) SENIOR TAX FREEZE.
a. THE TRUTH: The Town council has worked diligently to cut expenses, rather than changing or eliminating the Senior Tax Freeze. If this budget fails, and the State continues to reduce its aid to cities/towns (as is likely), the Senior Tax Freeze may well be jeopardized, as there are very few places left to generate new revenue, if expenses cannot be cut. It is not the desire of this Council to change the Freeze, as evidenced by the budget now before the taxpayers. We prefer reducing expenditures and running more efficiently.
When I campaigned spoke with my constituents personally, I heard each voice in my district loud and clear. Overwhelmingly, people desired tax relief. It was my desire to reduce taxes, but that was simply impossible due to the cuts Coventry sustained from the state. Holding taxes steady is the best we are able to bring forward, without hurting essential services to our residents. Now, however, it is up to the each of you to approve or disapprove our proposal. As your councilwoman, I have kept my commitment to you. Now, I would ask you to come out on June 30th and cast your vote. Let’s join together and say enough to high taxes, enough to hurting property values, enough to business as usual. These are your tax dollars and this is your town. Please VOTE!
Laura A. Flanagan
Vice President
Coventry Town Council
District 2
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
CHALLENGING TIMES CALL FOR EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP!
Let's Move Coventry in a New Direction...
Laura A. Flanagan
Coventry is my home and my community. I have had the great pleasure of getting to know many neighbors and developed strong friendships in my community. My children have benefited from a good school system and excellent dedicated teachers. This is the community where my husband was raised, where all of our immediate family live today and where I would like to remain well into my retirement years. I hope that calling Coventry their home will be a source of pride for my children for many years to come.
Initially, my curiosity regarding local politics was piqued as our real estate tax bill grew significantly, year after year. In my profession, a financial advisor, I routinely meet with clients (some taxpayers in Coventry) in an attempt to create financial plans and strategies designed to accomplish anything from successful budgeting, to education funding, to retirement planning, to estate planning. It became clear to me that the average family in Coventry was struggling due to a combination of economic variables – large increasing real estate taxes, large increases in energy costs, a declining real estate market and a volatile stock market. Most families have two working parents doing all they can to make ends meet, while still saving for college and retirement. These families tell the same story. “We moved to Coventry because of the school system.” As I have come to know the citizens of Coventry, I am always struck by their wit, spirit, commitment to education, family and community. I am proud to be their advisor and friend.
Unfortunately, these same folks share with me an embarrassment of the shameful press a majority of our current councilmen have received in recent years. They question how these can be the same people who are responsible for making major financial decisions that impact our taxpayers. They ask how they will be able to continue to support their families and remain in Coventry if their taxes and energy costs increase further and their property values decline. As I ponder these questions, I know answers exist! I know there are ways to generate revenue in a volatile economy. I know that expenditures can be reduced, without cutting services, using innovative new strategies. I know that the problems we face can be solved if we as a community are willing to take on these challenges… if we are willing to elect honest, ethical leaders…. If we are willing to say we have had enough of those who are not so inclined.
I believe that it is incumbent upon all of us to use our skills and talents to better our community when the opportunity presents itself. I believe we can accomplish all that we need and bring pride back to Coventry. I believe we lose the right to complain if we are not willing to act. For all of these reasons, I have decided to become your candidate for District 2, Town Council. I respectfully ask for your vote and your confidence.
Sincerely,
Laura A. Flanagan
Candidate for Town Council, District 2
Republicans In Coventry - Not Your Grandfather's Republican Party!
Interested in getting involved? Not quite sure where to begin? Visit www.coventryrepublicans.org.