Letter: 'This Isn’t January Anymore, Bethel'

"This Isn’t January Anymore, Bethel"

by John Crouse

Thank you to the three Bethel Board of Finance members who have the courage to stand up against an increase in spending during this time of unknown. To vote a tax increase and a $2 million increase in spending when unemployment is soaring is ludicrous. We are walking into a prolonged economic slump that the private sector is already reacting to. Business is tightening its belt while the public sector ignores what’s going on. I don't want anyone to lose their job - but the fact is hundreds of Bethel residents have and more are likely to do so in the coming months. It’s a reality, and a fact. This isn't 4 months ago, when this budget was formed. Our lives, our town, our country and the world has changed. It’s now. Adapt now. My parents were
both educators, and my daughter is at UConn studying to become one – this has nothing to do
with being anti-schools or anti-teachers. Yet, if you speak out against approving a $2 million
increase you suddenly become labelled as such.

Businesses are laying off, furloughing, shutting down but we want to pass a tax increase to fund town employee salary increases, among other things? How can anyone in good conscience look for a tax increase at this time, especially on a budget that was built pre-pandemic?

Let us not forget that the Governor is allowing Town Boards to determine the next year's budget on their own, as a referendum is not deemed safe right now. I agree, but how about allowing towns to delay referendums… Bethel is not going to shut down if there is not a vote on May 15. It's not going to shut down if there is no vote on June 15. The situation at hand has changed many rules – this one seems to simple to ignore. That’s not how town government works… I am still paying my tax bill, so presumably the revenue is still coming in.

You are not dealing with reality if you think this budget shouldn't change drastically from pre-pandemic levels. I will leave the vote debate to someone else - but common sense says if there are 7 people or 7,000 people voting for this budget, spending more at this time is short-sighted at best, and just ignorant in my opinion.

John Crouse

Bethel