TO: Jeff Kurz, Record Journal, Editorial Manager
FROM: Lou Arata
DATE: January 21, 2020
RE: TERM LIMITS, NOT TOLLS
We need term limits, not tolls. We need to elect true leaders who have the gumption to implement ideas to stop the incessant taxation which is a plague in Meriden and the state of Connecticut. We elect followers, hell-bent on keeping power and control at the cost of losing taxpaying citizens and corporations alike.
We see successful outcomes in other communities surrounding Meriden where voters exercise basic common sense and elect politicians from both parties and policy is made by differing majorities or on a bipartisan basis. In Meriden, like the state of Connecticut, we have for decades continued to elect Democrat majorities and kept decision making in the hands of that one group. This is fertile soil for abuse.
The proof in Meriden is seen in our spending habits. Our Democrat majority, being left unchecked for decades, has fallen in love with borrowing and spending resulting in excessive taxation, one of the highest mill rates in Connecticut putting constraints on our family budgets. We continue to spend above our bonding cap. Few seem to care or express outrage! As surrounding towns are prospering, (many led by Republican majorities) Meriden leaders use cheerleading tactics to make us “feel” that Meriden is on the right track.
Let’s join successful administrations surrounding us and see our City Council pass a “No Tolls” resolution. Say NO to tolls. Commuting workers, following our children to away games, anyone buying retail for that matter, will see costs go up across the board.
When is enough taxation enough? Oh right, we already lived that, in the Meriden budget referendum– where instead of decreasing taxes, the City Council actually RAISED THEM. Here we are, yet again, just through another municipal election cycle and voters are electing the same cats, with the same stripes, into the majority.