Opinion: 'Monroe Has Lots to be Proud of, Support Monroe's Proposed Town Budget'

The following was written by life-long Monroe resident Karen Culp Coffey

"Monroe friends: There is a Budget Vote next Tuesday, April 5 and your vote is needed. This year's overall increase is one of the leanest proposed in the last decade.

Monroe has a lot to be proud of... Monroe Schools are ranked among the best in the state. Masuk High School was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School in 2015, after being recognized as a Connecticut School of Distinction the previous year. Stepney Elementary and Monroe Elementary Schools were also recognized recently as CT Schools of Distinction.

In my opinion, Monroe provides our children a competitive edge in getting into better colleges and universities. Besides reaping the benefits of a top-notch education, our children have so many opportunities given to them at the high school level to participate in athletics, FBLA, DECA, robotics, debate, drama, band, orchestra, color guard, and dozens upon dozens of clubs and activities held after school and on weekends at Masuk each week.

We have beautiful parks and recreational facilities, a thriving Senior Center and a state-of-the-art library that offers events and programs for people of all ages. If you've never been, check out the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library website for their calendar of events and to better educate yourself with the excellent resources our town library has to offer its citizens.

We already know this is the best community to live, as we choose to live here. This is our town. Let's support this proposed budget next Tuesday by voting and allow Monroe to continue to move forward on its current path. Thank you."

Click here to read the complete 2016-2017 Budget