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Doing More with Less

Following a succession of large tax increases during the last Democratic administration, culminating in the rejected at referendum 6.9 percent hike, Guilford voters elected the present Republican majority Board of Selectman.

By this time, our rainy day fund had also been spent, losing Guilford its credit bureau AAA rating and threatening higher servicing costs for our town’s debt. Fortunately for taxpayers, the Republican administration has not only succeeded in controlling spending on the town side, resulting in much more modest budget increases, but also to fully restore the rainy day fund and consequently our good credit rating. This will save taxpayers in lower interest costs over decades, especially with the new high school now impacting our budget. All this has been accomplished without layoffs and while providing enhanced services to residents. It seems that Republicans are very good at doing more with less.

Guilford is said to be a rich town, and it’s true that some residents are comfortable with continuing tax increases and, understandably, parents approve of education spending. The reality, though, is that we are amongst the highest-taxed in the nation and many of our neighbors are hurt when writing the big tax check twice each year. Our objective must be to see that each tax dollar is spent wisely.

We have an opportunity to elect additional prudent Republicans to our Board of Finance. This will ensure the entire Guilford budget, both town and public schools, will be subject to careful scrutiny, will guarantee services are provided without wasteful spending, and will hold tax increases to a minimum.

This Nov. 3, I urge your readers to vote Republican and re-elect Jon Trotta and elect Ken MacKenzie to the Board of Finance. Guilford will be the better for it.

David Roberts

Guilford