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Increases Are Short-Sighted

I just opened my [April 19] edition of the Harbor News and right on page 3 in the “Inside” block on page 3 is a tale of two complete opposites: “Clinton Budget Goes to Voters” and “New Expanding, Businesses in Old Saybrook.” From there I went to the letters to the editor. Never have I heard anyone say “I am not moving to Clinton because they can’t pass a budget” [story “Clinton Budgets, with Revised ECS Estimates, Go to Voters May 9”]. I have heard people say, “I would never move to Clinton” or “I/We are moving out of Clinton because the taxes are too high.”

Drive around Clinton and see all the homes that are for sale. They are not selling very well either. Look at vacant commercial properties and the old high school. One speaker was quoted in the above story as stating Clinton does not have budget problems, it has economic development problems. The economic development problems are related to each other. Clinton’s high and always-increasing mill rate puts the brakes on any economic development that would create better budgets and a better future for Clinton. These budget increases and any mill rate increases are short-sighted and hurt the future in Clinton.

An economic development committee sounds good on paper, but I doubt if it will accomplish anything because of our high and always-increasing mill rate. I encourage your readers to vote “No” across the board!

Keith Kleinschmidt

Clinton