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Take a Hard Look

In reading the May 18 Robert Redente letter “On Deaf Ears,” I didn’t get the impression that he was making excuses for Sal Maltese not attending budget hearings. Rather, public input does fall on deaf ears for the Republican-controlled Town Council will approve without question anything Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., sends it. Instead, Robert Parente [May 25 letter “Would’ve Been There”] seems to feel that people should be screaming, protesting, and holding signs if they have issues with the budget and this will get the council’s attention.

Mr. Maltese knows what goes on as far as the budget process and knows full well that what Maturo wants, Maturo gets. Take for example the raises he stuck into the budget that were not part of the budget approved by the Board of Finance—there they were when the Town Council got the budget.

If yelling and screaming is an effective way to govern, then why isn’t Maturo screaming his lungs out demanding answers to that $918,000 mis-used or unaccounted funds in the Education budget ending on June 30, 2016. Where did it go? Who authorized any transfer? Why aren’t questions being answered? Is the town covering up something it doesn’t want the public to know, as it’s an election year? Why is the one person who should have these answers being evasive? Why isn’t Parente and the Town Council being more forceful? Who are they trying to protect?

As to that 2015 debate Parente mentioned, he knows full well that Maltese had a fundraiser planned well in advance and the Maturo campaign committee knew that. As for “disappearing for 13 months,” I guess Parente forgot Mr. Maltese works 75-plus hours a week. Before Bob Parente starts attacking an opponent’s character he should take a hard look at himself.

Joe Piccirillo

East Haven