Citizens have spoken— cut budget

To the editor

   On Tuesday I attended the Township Committee meeting on the budget. It was mentioned that school enrollment has been declining for the last three years. I find this interesting as our school taxes have been going up steadily. This year it was one of the highest budgets in the state. Highest, compared even to towns looking at building new schools. Thank God enough people turned out to defeat this monster budget.
   Dr. Gulick is not a resident of this town; he does not have to live with the increases he imposes on all of us. His budget is a wish list. It’s time we citizens were given a chance to line item the budget and put it back on a pay-as-you-go basis.
   There are many things on my family’s wish list; however, my pocketbook decides what I actually can afford. Many items on the budget can be added when there is money to pay for them — not now.
   At the meeting on Tuesday it was repeatedly pointed out that the economy is still in a decline.
   We need to work together; Sept. 11 taught us we could no longer think others are protecting our interests. It is time for all our elected officials to stand up and do the job they were elected to do, be a watchdog, for all. They cannot ignore the vote of the citizens.
   The citizens of Hillsborough have spoken; this budget is too big. We are asking for a thorough review of the budget and some severe cutbacks.
   We are also asking that when contract time rolls around the teachers be asked to give back some of the perks. There is no reason teachers should receive free benefits.
   Even in corporate America employees are being asked to carry some of the expenses. Corporations may be able to pay for advanced degrees, however, we citizens trying to make ends meet can’t write off these perks for our teachers on our taxes.
   This is not "Senior Citizens versus Parents." This is something everyone in town has to take responsibility for. Our children need a good education, but "astro-turf" and new computers are not going to give it to them.
   Parent/teacher involvement, old-fashion good use of available resources, creative use of materials, these are the tools used by teachers for ages and guess what? They work.
   Cut out the $700,000 legal fees. Dr. Gulick missed the fine print in the construction contracts on the high school; it’s too late. $700,000 in fees last year was enough. There are professionals whose job it is to read these construction contracts. Maybe our town already has one as a parent here. Find out! Why keep paying experts who could care less, ask a parent with a personal interest in the results.
   As to our Township Committee — stop the rhetoric. We want real cuts, we want real changes, we want responsible leadership.

Annette Sammer
Hillsborough