School Renovations: ‘The Bethel Action Committee Opposes the Nightmare Before Halloween Spending;’ Letter to the Editor from Billy Michael

Report by Paula Antolini
October 13, 2017 8:00AM EDT

 

School Renovations: ‘The Bethel Action Committee Opposes the Nightmare Before Halloween Spending;’ Letter to the Editor from Billy Michael

To the Editor,

Next Tuesday taxpayers will vote on the proposed $65 million renovations for two schools.

This Nightmare Before Halloween is worse than the three previous Nightmares Before Christmas the current administration has scheduled over the past 8 years.

This is the largest bonding proposal Bethelites have ever seen!

>Considering that the state is in the most devastating economic condition ever witnessed ($3.5 billion biennial budget deficit), the timing of this couldn’t be worse.

The looming reduction in Bethel’s future state Equalized Cost Sharing (ECS)  has many taxpayers reluctant to go on this spending spree; especially since the current Revaluation of property may result in huge tax hikes for many property owners. Yet, this economic tsunami does not seem to faze project supporters.

Many supporters consider the ever higher mill rate as a sign of caring and compassion through municipal bonding and spending. Those who bemoan the flight of young adults from Connecticut towns view ever-rising mill rates due to municipal spending as something that should be challenged.

Once out of school, young adults cannot afford to live where they were raised – precisely due to the school spending portrayed as essential to their future well being!

No other state in the union is losing more 18- to 34-year-olds than Connecticut.
Approving this plan will cause even more to adopt an exit strategy. We need to protect Bethel’s young adults – by keeping it affordable for all.

The Bethel Action Committee opposes this Nightmare Before Halloween Spending.

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