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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 01 March 2009 |
Wake up Newport
Responding to my opponent
By Paul Monette
I would like to address some of the comments made by Mr. Delabruere.
1. Taxes – Mr. Delabruere, if you think taxes are too high in the City of Newport, why didn’t you question the budget instead of keeping quiet?
Why did you vote to support the current budget?
Since I have been on the council, the school taxes have outpaced the city taxes by a huge percent. Why didn’t you, in your short tenure on the North Country School board, attempt to reduce their budget to keep our taxes down?
Why didn’t you offer cost savings measures to the rest of the city council and the manger during our budget meetings?
Why did you resign from the school board?
The school board minute’s stated that it was due to the time needed to work on the City budget. In reality the City Manager and department heads spent the most time on the budget and we held few meetings which surely would not have interfered with your school board duties.
2. Development – Since I have been on the City Council, we have been very open to businesses wishing to locate here. We created the City Center Industrial park, over objections of some local taxpayers, which now have the helmet factory and two other businesses. The park, being in a tax incremental finance district, was able to pay for the infrastructure without being a burden on the local tax payers. The problem with jobs for post graduate students is not a Newport issue alone, the entire State of Vermont is bleeding our youth. Vermont is one of the most business unfriendly states there is. Our rules and regulations for people wanting to start a business or just move here are very costly. I have always been open to businesses wanting to locate in Newport. I have supported Walmart from day one.
3. Recreation – It is neither up to the government nor the City of Newport alone to provide recreational activities for everyone. However we must provide the facilities and the resources so events can occur. A good example is Aquafest where the city recreation department has teamed up with IROC and the Chamber to hold this event. We have an excellent recreation department and board, who over the years have provided numerous activities for our youth. As far as recreational activities for people 21 to 30, it is not up to the city alone to provide activities. Business and organizations must be involved.
http://www.monetteformayor.info/issues.html |
