Random Musings

Ah, spring here in Sturbridge, the grass is getting green, the snow is almost gone, the sap is running through the trees. Speaking of saps, here I am with another set of random Tea Party type musings.

Looking With Different Eyes

Here's a question for you: Who do your elected officials work for? Do they work for the people who elect them or special interests groups? When one is elected do they cease being an individual and have to check their own views and thoughts at the door?

A Step in the Right Direction

As much as I would like to think it was because of my last post, which I am sure it wasn't, I am glad to see that the Board of Selectmen decided not to go ahead with the $600,000 re-do of Walker Road. At Monday's meeting they voted 5 - 0 not to go forward with the plan. As mentioned during the meeting, this money could be better spent elsewhere.

If You Got ‘Em, Spend ‘Em, Taxes That Is

In yesterday’s post I mentioned how there were many “Closet Tea Partyers” at the annual Sturbridge Town Meeting. Unfortunately for the taxpayers there weren’t enough of them.

Sturbridge Town Meeting Wraps Up

You know you better hold onto your wallet when you go to the Town Meeting and the first car you see has an Obama bumper sticker, a 99% sticker, a Richard Neal sticker and an Elizabeth Warren sticker.

Town Meeting Issues Continued

As promised here is a follow-up post to the post I did after the Town Meeting. I received several comments and thought I would discuss them a little further.

When It's Twilight On The Trail

Some times you just have to shake your head and wonder. Like I did last night at a joint meeting of the Trails Committee, the Conservation Committee and the Board of Selectmen here in Sturbridge.

Democracy In-Action

I just spent two hours participating in what made this country great, the Sturbridge Annual Town Meeting. The Town meeting is where it all began, where business was conducted and the decisions were made.

Half a Loaf, Better Than None?

Just some last minute thoughts on tonight's town meeting. There are some important issues on the warrant, especially the citizen's petition, Article 4, which would level fund the budget. As of this writing i understand there will be a substitute motion which will increase the budget, but by only half of what the FinCom wants.

More On Article 4

While this post deals with Article 4 on the warrant of the Sturbridge Town Meeting, it really applies to any town or city which is dealing with rising tax rates. As I have written before, I beleive that changing the culture of spending and taxing begins at the local level and works its way up. Fiscal responsibility starts here.

Remember the Bricks?

As the annual town meeting approaches here in bucolic Sturbridge, let's take a look at yet another questionable expenditure that some feel is necessary. 

More From A Frustrated Sturbridge Taxpayer

Let me throw this out there. I realize I am not a financial whiz, one only needs to look at my checkbook to see that. But I can’t understand why we can’t keep the town budget the same next year as it was this year.

If You Got It, Spend It

As anyone who follows this blog knows I believe in a level funded budget, meaning it shouldn’t go up every year. You know, like you do at home where you have to either spend less each year or the same as you did last year since your income more than likely hasn’t risen.

Town Meeting Is Almost Here - Open Your Wallets

I really am convinced that I need to get more involved in politics at the local level. After all as I have stated many times to any one who cares to listen, and indeed even to those who don't, we need to change the culture of bigger government and bigger spending from the bottom up.

CPA 1, Taxpayers 0

The local election is over and once again there have been lessons learned. First, let me say we lost the vote on Question 4 which was to revoke the CPA, so we will continue to incur more and more debt buying things we don’t need and can’t afford.

Spend it if you got it

Here it is Easter Sunday and what am I doing? Writing and thinking about politics and the CPA. But then if we don't do it who will?

Free Money Isn't Free

Why is it that people seem to think that any money which comes from the Government is free? In this debate we are having about the CPA for example, we keep hearing about we get this from the state, we get that from the state, has anyone ever stopped to think where this money actually comes from?

More Mis-information Being Spread by the CPAers

Here is a rather lengthy read of some recent information which has been put out there by CPA supporters, and a reply by Janet Garon. Why let the facts get in the way of a good tax hike?

Education on the Issues Should be Foremost

I spent the day at a local supermarket today handing out fliers and talking to people about the CPA and Question 4 on the local ballot. No, i am not going to rehash the arguments, well not today anyway. It was an interesting and eyeopening experience.

Hardly A Cup of Coffee

Here is a copy of another letter to the editor which was placed in the Southbridge News, written by Barbara Search of Sturbridge. In it she points out that the $4.3 million in debt the town is in, really will be about $6 million when you factor in the interest.