Candidate for
Council Member; Town of Windsor

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

I never thought I would run for office again; however, when I began seeing new cars all over town I got to wondering, "How can Windsor afford this?" As a former Mayor of the town, I know how to read the town's complicated budget. What I saw astounded me. In their two year budget, they allocated over $900,000 for new vehicles! Wow! To date, they have spent $360,000 of that money, and they have until July 2009 to complete all purchases. These items were not deleted from the budget during the council's last budget update, although the council has claimed to have deleted 1.8 million from the budget.Page A6 of the Town Budget states that "property taxes continue to remain a stable source of revenue for the Town." . . . and "Property taxes are extimated to grow 1.5 percent annually in 2007 - 09." That couldn't be more further from the truth. Due to the sub-prime lending crisis, the Town's property tax revenue will significantly decrease. No new cars should be purchased!

In little more than a year our water/sewer rates have gone up dramtically - 67% according to the public works director! How can Windsor families afford that? The current council doesn't seem to be concerned with that, after all, their children are either grown, or they don't have any. They have forgotten how expensive it is to raise a family. And some people get free water!

And where's the pool they have been promising us? Looking at the budget, they have the money for the pool, if it was a priority. But it's a town priority.

Although beautiful, our mixed use buildings are failing downtown. The businesses struggle once they open, and many have closed. The design wasn't suited for larger businesses, and many businesses were originally turned down such as insurance companies and lenders. Many sit empty, never even having a tenant. And, the town leaders want more of this type of building in town across from Round Table Pizza, on Old Redwood Highway near Shiloh Road, and behind the Home Depot. I believe enough of this failed building! We need more commercial near the Walmart Center. How 'bout a nice steak house? A discount grocer? The possibilities are endless, but Windsor has gained the reputation as not business friendly. This must change now.

I have received many emails from our seniors complaining about the respect from our town staff and our town leaders. They feel like the town doesn't listen to them, and they take away their classes without going through proper channels. There has been an ongoing dispute between the seniors and the town for years. I was on the council when the senior center was built and the agreement legalized. The senior center should be for seniors, period. They should be respected as an important part of our community. I will make certain they are listened to, and that their legally binding agreement is adhered to.

Thank you for your support.