Spring: Time To Vote On The Budget

To the Editor:

All the signs of spring are evident around Newtown — blooming trees and flowers, green grass and the town referendum signs. Please mark you calendar to vote on Tuesday, April 25, at Newtown Middle School (across from Big Y) between 6 am and 8 pm.

If you will be out of town or have a question about your voting eligibility, contact the town clerk’s office in Edmond Town Hall. If you are new to Newtown or unsure what the town referendum is all about, it’s easy: every year qualified voters of Newtown must go to the polls to approve the town and education budget for the next fiscal year. It takes two minutes. You go to the middle school, show your license, and pull the Yes lever. The town must have a budget approved by Newtown voters each year. If the budget fails, it must be reevaluated (i.e., cut) and another referendum held. Let’s set a goal to pass the referendum the first time with at least 50 percent of registered voters. The Board of Education, Board of Finance and Legislative Council have done their job and have presented us with a lean but manageable budget this year. It’s now our turn to go to the polls and show our support.

Let us not forgot 2003 when our referendum failed to pass twice resulting in cuts of almost $1million, which eliminated fourth grade orchestra and required pay to play sports and activities in the schools, among other things. Three year later we have yet to get these restored into the budget. And let us not risk our good Moody rating at a time when our high school space needs proposals are relying on it staying strong. In March, Monroe’s Moody rating was downgraded in large part due to repeated failed budgets and budget overages that still occurred. We can’t afford to be complacent in Newtown. Everyone needs to vote who is eligible — especially dads and parents of preschool children. Make a breakfast or lunch date with your spouse or a few friends and vote Yes on April 25 to show your support for the strong town and academic programs and services offered in Newtown.

Happy spring.

Tracey Tenney

48 Charter Ridge Drive                                             April 12, 2006