It is ridiculous for me to have to state the obvious, but it seems that our BOS, heads of Depts., and some local political activists refuse to look at some harsh realities. We are in a deep chasm of financial deficit at all levels of government because of mismanagement of funds. And Middleboro is a prime example of the result of failing to set priorities and learning to live within our budget.
As a voter, I look skeptically at the requests for any monies with a "PROVE to me that this is the best alternative within our means" eye before I can approve any expenditures. "Show me" the research that all alternatives have been thoroughly examined. Back up all requests for funding with a complete breakdown of the what, why, and justifications of each and every proposed request.
Too often the voters are presented with budget requests at the last minute before Town Meeting and then are expected to cast an informed vote. A prime example is the purchase of that flashy million dollar fire truck with all those bells and whistles. Everyone who favored it is exclaiming, "Thank God we had that new ladder truck in time for the recent Church fire". That's a faulty emotional response that ignores the real issue. That truck was a pretty show piece to display before the media. But did it accomplish more in the final result than a less expensive or refurbished model? If you think so, PROVE IT TO ME with facts, not gut reactions.
Yes, there are expenses that we can't avoid. But there's a big difference between what we might wish for and what we really need. Fiscal responsibility means solid justification for each and every request for budget increases and purchases.
An increase in the school budget was approved. Nobody provided detailed information showing how that money was going to improve the quality of the education of the children or bolster our embarassing MCAS performance. Sorry to say this, but we need a thorough audit of why our children are failing even if it means bringing in a team of bean counters and educational support experts. Just throwing money at a problem without a good plan for positive resolution will solve nothing.
Our BOS and heads of Depts. must develop the mindset of the real world where companies make hard decisions based on efficiency and cost effectiveness without bowing to special interests.
I believe in Special Education. Federal Law mandates it. But I also believe in taking a common sense approach to how Special Ed is implemented. Why is it costing us in the five figures to transport a student out of district when the bus drivers are only paid around $!5/hr?
I'll make this short and sweet. All town employees should receive pay and benefits commensurate with what people in the outside world receive. Period. The salaries, perks, pensions, and buy back time I'm reading about for Middleboro town employess are ridiculously inflated. Let's get real.
What an eye opener! But it's not the 10 grand for your town and the 9 something grand for mine - it's the freakin' $17,000 for Lincoln! They should change the name to Cadillac!
What explains this difference? Gold plated lunch trays in the cafeteria? Free laptop per child? Is David Ortiz as the baseball coach??
"When you go into a supermarket and a high school graduate can't make change because the computers are down, is it worth the cost?"Hey, I had that happen to me not long ago at the movie place in Randolph.
Am I the only one who notices how large expenses always get funded like the ambulence we dont need,more personel,firecheifs buybacks,new cheifs raise and new vehicals that are never in budgets?Mathmatically chalenged voters dont get it.You expect there kids to know math?
One of the greatest failures of education is to instill a desire for continued learning upon graduating, whether it's High School or College.
So many make the false assumption that they have miraculously "learned it all."
Were you to engage them in conversation and query their comprehension of current issues, their failure is astounding.
Ask questions about forms of government, the Constitution, stem cell research, who their elected officials are, acid rain, climate change or any of numerous other topics and unless they have recently heard some information of Fox News, they are unable to respond. Excessive television viewing enhances the dilemma.
There is so much valuable info in your many, many blogs, it's difficult for a newbie to absorb the significanse of it all. Doin' the best I can, but there is a plethora of issues that affect me as a taxpayer. There is a very good reason why so many read your blog as a reference. No one else has taken the time and made the effort to get so much solid info out there. I personally didn't give a rat's ass about any of this until I began to read you. Now I realize that for most of my adult life I have been part of the problem for why things have gotten as bad as they are. I wasn't paying attention.
The way things are headed in Middleboro, prediction is a great majority of 16 year olds will be dropping out of school. They don't need their parents concent to do so. Then, what? Keep paying for town departments instead of offering incentive for our children to stay in school and offered incentives to do well.
14 comments:
It is ridiculous for me to have to state the obvious, but it seems that our BOS, heads of Depts., and some local political activists refuse to look at some harsh realities. We are in a deep chasm of financial deficit at all levels of government because of mismanagement of funds. And Middleboro is a prime example of the result of failing to set priorities and learning to live within our budget.
As a voter, I look skeptically at the requests for any monies with a "PROVE to me that this is the best alternative within our means" eye before I can approve any expenditures. "Show me" the research that all alternatives have been thoroughly examined. Back up all requests for funding with a complete breakdown of the what, why, and justifications of each and every proposed request.
Too often the voters are presented with budget requests at the last minute before Town Meeting and then are expected to cast an informed vote. A prime example
is the purchase of that flashy million dollar fire truck with all those bells and whistles. Everyone who favored it is exclaiming, "Thank God we had that new ladder truck in time for the recent Church fire". That's a faulty emotional response that ignores the real issue. That truck was a pretty show piece to display before the media. But did it accomplish more in the final result than a less expensive or refurbished model? If you think so, PROVE IT TO ME with facts, not gut reactions.
Yes, there are expenses that we can't avoid. But there's a big difference between what we might wish for and what we really need. Fiscal responsibility means solid justification for each and every request for budget increases and purchases.
An increase in the school budget was approved. Nobody provided detailed information showing how that money was going to improve the quality of the education of the children or bolster our embarassing MCAS performance. Sorry to say this, but we need a thorough audit of why our children are failing even if it means bringing in a team of bean counters and educational support experts. Just throwing money at a problem without a good plan for positive resolution will solve nothing.
Our BOS and heads of Depts. must develop the mindset of the real world where companies make hard decisions based on efficiency and cost effectiveness without bowing to special interests.
I believe in Special Education. Federal Law mandates it. But I also believe in taking a common sense approach to how Special Ed is implemented. Why is it costing us in the five figures to transport a student out of district when the bus drivers are only paid around $!5/hr?
I'll make this short and sweet. All town employees should receive pay and benefits commensurate with what people in the outside world receive. Period. The salaries, perks, pensions, and buy back time I'm reading about for Middleboro town employess are ridiculously inflated. Let's get real.
Jumpin' Jehosiphats, MR!
What an eye opener! But it's not the 10 grand for your town and the 9 something grand for mine - it's the freakin' $17,000 for Lincoln! They should change the name to Cadillac!
What explains this difference? Gold plated lunch trays in the cafeteria? Free laptop per child? Is David Ortiz as the baseball coach??
Jeesh!
When you go into a supermarket and a high school graduate can't make change because the computers are down, is it worth the cost?
Unfortunately, some good private schools don't cost as much and produce a better "product."
"When you go into a supermarket and a high school graduate can't make change because the computers are down, is it worth the cost?"Hey, I had that happen to me not long ago at the movie place in Randolph.
Per pupil cost in Randolph: $10,640Eeeek!
Where were those private schools again?
Coyle Cassiday costs less and there's a new elementary school in town also.
It isn't the money spent, it's the staff and administration that determines the "product."
Only in a poorly educated town would a casino receive such support.
Am I the only one who notices how large expenses always get funded like the ambulence we dont need,more personel,firecheifs buybacks,new cheifs raise and new vehicals that are never in budgets?Mathmatically chalenged voters dont get it.You expect there kids to know math?
One of the greatest failures of education is to instill a desire for continued learning upon graduating, whether it's High School or College.
So many make the false assumption that they have miraculously "learned it all."
Were you to engage them in conversation and query their comprehension of current issues, their failure is astounding.
Ask questions about forms of government, the Constitution, stem cell research, who their elected officials are, acid rain, climate change or any of numerous other topics and unless they have recently heard some information of Fox News, they are unable to respond. Excessive television viewing enhances the dilemma.
Leonard
What cost a fortune and produces a worthless product? Ed Reform in Massachusetts.
Gullibility of Middleboro voters continues to amaze. Just consider the recent Annual Town Meeting.
"Only in a poorly educated town would a casino receive such support."
Can I get an Amen?
Either poorly educated or expertly decieved.
There is so much valuable info in your many, many blogs, it's difficult for a newbie to absorb the significanse of it all. Doin' the best I can, but there is a plethora of issues that affect me as a taxpayer. There is a very good reason why so many read your blog as a reference. No one else has taken the time and made the effort to get so much solid info out there. I personally didn't give a rat's ass about any of this until I began to read you. Now I realize that for most of my adult life I have been part of the problem for why things have gotten as bad as they are. I wasn't paying attention.
The way things are headed in Middleboro, prediction is a great majority of 16 year olds will be dropping out of school. They don't need their parents concent to do so. Then, what? Keep paying for town departments instead of offering incentive for our children to stay in school and offered incentives to do well.
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