Monday's Here Again

A couple of candidates took advantage of the "free form" yesterday.  There were statements posted by Jaime DeSousa for Selectman and Colin Veitch for School Committee.  They join Carol Murchie for Tree Warden in posting on the free form pages.

Check out what they have to say.  Make your comments.  Any other candidates out there who want to make a statement please feel free.
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It appears that next year's budget is going to get little help from the state.  I have had three different people outline for me the fact that projected revenues for the state are not being met and the state "needs" are going to prohibit any trickle down over what the governor's budget proposed (and that proposal had very little trickle).

What does that mean for towns like Fairhaven?  A broken shoe string to hold together what you have in place.

There will be some very serious decisions which will have to be made this year.  Decisions most people have had to face for several years now.

I understand there are significant issues besides the budget.  The budget problem is an extremely pressing issue for the town.  Must of the early pain caused by the recession was avoided in Town operations.  This "recovery period" that we are in has slowed greatly.  Overall recovery is years away.

There will be significant cuts to budgetary requests.  In many instances this will in fact result in reduction of services or layoffs.

Candidates for Selectman, School Committee and BPW need to be able to articulate how they intend to handle the matters.  While all departments and boards will be affected, the listed offices are the ones which deal with the most significant portions of the budgets and matters.

I do not expect solutions from any candidate.  Note I did not ask for a solution from them.

Indeed anyone elected in April is going to have no time to have any significant sway over the budgets for the May Annual Town Meeting.

I do expect reasoned positions however.