‘Voting My Conscience’

To the Editor:

The individual criticizing people by saying “shame” because they didn’t vote Yes is way off base –– that’s why I spent time in the military, protecting my country and my freedoms. One of those freedoms is to vote my conscience, and right now the budget is way off, and I’ll continue to vote the way I see fit. They also lead you to believe because your house is now worth more, you should be glad to pay more –– wrong!

Any increase in value is “only on paper,” it hasn’t put any hard cash back in my pocket –– the same hard cash the town wants to take from me.

As far as the first selectman’s letter, why didn’t you consider these options that you now propose before all the “noise” on the budget and acted on them, after reading what you propose is like saying “the check is in the mail” -– a little too much after the fact.

I’d gladly vote for the budget if I felt I was getting something for my taxes, but when I see a Democratic town member get the road paved in front of his house and a new curb, I’ll continue to vote the budget down. People, remember this budget when the November elections roll around –– it’s time for a political change in Newtown and the way the school board is appointed.

Sincerely,

Arthur W. Hechler

2 Bayberry Drive, Newtown                                            May 5, 2003