The Town Meeting Scam

To the Editor

The budget went down for the second time. The vote increased by about 675 votes, thanks to the student couriers.

Dr Pitkoff still doesn’t get it. His hopes now are for the scam called “The Town Meeting.” Many years ago a budget failed. It was to be decided at “The Town Meeting” at the high school. Printed ballots were distributed at the door but never used. A change was made for a voice vote. Whoever yelled the loudest secured the budget. This is democracy at its lowest level.

Town meetings are for towns of one or two thousand people. It is absurd for a town of 25,000 people or 14,456 registered voters. Referendums should be held until the voters agree on the proposed numbers. Most of the taxpayer money goes to the Board of Education, yet we have no say to their demands. Towns are held hostage to this type of bureaucracy, which is out of control. Ask the governor. There should be no increases or borrowing for this budget until the economy is on solid footing.

Paul Fortugno

44 Philo Curtis Road,  Sandy Hook                                May 7, 2003