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Letters to the Editor
On May 19, 2009, residents in the Orchard Park School District will vote on the proposed $77.49 million-plus school budget.
According to the School District, the final proposed “no stone unturned” budget raises the tax levy yet again by another $2.5M from last year, or 5.8% to $45.84M, and raises the property tax rate per thousand assessed valuation for Orchard Park residents and businesses by an estimated 4.95%, from $26.07 to an estimated whopping $27.36.
Just tell them “No.” Send them back to their “smart boards” for a closer look.
Tell them to notice that our economy is in shambles, and businesses and people are hurting - that all levels of government are facing unprecedented budget deficits - and it will take years to recover.
Tell them to notice that the combined burden on taxpayers in Western New York - federal, state, county, town, village, school, sales taxes, and a multitude of surcharges and fees - is one of the highest in the country - and may never improve, but only worsen.
Tell them to notice that businesses and productive people are leaving our state and the Western New York area in droves, and many of “the children” we graduate will follow suit and create their wealth elsewhere.
Tell them that the “gravy train” days of annual multi-million dollar increases in state aid are over.
Tell them that their cumulative spending increase since 2001-02 will surpass $18M, or 31% - and is totally unacceptable.
Tell them that increasing their spending by $3.7M, or 4.96% in a year when deep budget cuts are in order to offset reduced revenues is unconscionable.
Tell them that their annual spending increases to cover escalating so-called “uncontrollable fixed cost” obligations of union contract salaries, stipends, 100% district-paid healthcare bennies, and a host of other employee perks - coupled with unprecedented current and future retirement liabilities - are simply out-of-touch and unsustainable.
Tell them that their cumulative property tax levy increase since 2001-02 will exceed $14.1M, or 44%, and their cumulative property tax rate per thousand assessed value will have increased by $4.59, or 20% - and are unaffordable.
Tell them that the state’s annual STAR property tax “rebate” checks are no more.
Tell them that the taxpayer trough is all but dry.
Tell them that taxpayers can no longer just “suck it up.”
Tell them that their “budget-to-budget” comparisons and statements of “no impact on taxpayers” for future debt service on capital projects and large purchases - all used to sell their “fiscally responsible” budget spending - are misleading and manipulative.
Tell them that their attitude of entitlement must end, and they, like us, must learn to live within their means.
Tell them that they are not the only ones who “work hard.”
Tell them that we know that their perpetual budget spending increases purported to maintain the “tradition of excellence” are not exclusively “for the children.”
Tell them there are many opportunities for spending reductions – if only they had the guts to confront them.
Tell them that taxpayers deserve more advocacy from our District leadership and deserve more respect from the District’s employee unions - especially in these dire economic times.
Tell them we can not afford their collective “business as usual” this budget year - or next - or for the foreseeable future. Tell them they can do better.
Tell them who pays the bills.
Tell them with the power of your vote.
Just tell them “No.”
(Author's note: Perhaps these thoughts may also resonate with regard to the proposed school district budget where you live)
Ronald D. Stadelmaier
Resident, Parent, and Taxpayer
Orchard Park, NY
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