Budget Speakers Are Heard, Says Ordinance Committee Chair (But What About Petitions?)

As Ordinance Committee Chair Stephanie Philips opened the second night of town budget deliberations at Stratford High, technically a continuance of the previous evening’s proceedings at Bunnell, she reminded the audience of about 125 people that their voices will be heard.

“Let me say that I often hear people ask, ‘Should I speak? Does it really make a difference?’ 

“Let me tell you that it absolutely does make a difference,” Philips assured. “We listen and we act on what we hear.” 

For those who have advocated for the restoration of funds to the Stratford Library budget, perhaps Philips’ opening remarks begged the question: “Do petition signatures speak, too?” 

Earlier this week on Monday night at the regular Town Council meeting, several dozen residents spoke and repeated what has become a recurring theme for several months. Most speakers advocated for one, two or all three of the following: 1. restoration of the full Board of Education budget request, 2. restoration of large cuts to the Stratford Library budget, and, 3. restoration of proposed budget cuts to the animal control facility budget including one of three full-time positions eliminated two weeks ago. 

On Monday, Library Board of Trustee Treasurer Maria Ferrera noted that she has been on the library board for more than 10 years,” is a past- president and current treasurer. She noted that as a child in the second grade, she had a problem reading in part because her parents were not native English speakers. Fast-forward to the present, Ferrera could not help but link her childhood struggle with reading to the popularity of the Stratford Library today. 

She noted that 900 people per day visit the library. “The current level of services and hours are important to maintain,” she said. “We need the library now more than ever.” She then noted that she had a petition with 2,693 signatures on it requesting the council to restore library funding.

 “I would like to leave it with you,” she said to the full council.

Thursday night before the Ordinance Committee, another speaker, Robert Smith told members that he realized “we are facing uncertain and difficult financial situations. But I implore you to reconsider” funding cuts proposed for the library “and the impact it will have on the community.

“As we gather here tonight,” Smith said, “the library down the street is packed with your constituents.” 

Prior to Smith’s turn at the microphone, there was the resident who told the story of her children going to the library since they were toddlers, with one now a library volunteer. 

Another told of her own mother telling her, “My Mom told me that when you sit down and read a book you can go anywhere in the world.” 

Yet another speaker received a loud round of applause when she noted that the library is located between a funeral parlor and a graveyard and if the cuts are upheld then “you will add another dead zone.” 

During these current budget deliberations, has been called the best in the state, the best in the nation, the center of the town; a gem.

But back to Mr. Smith: At the conclusion of his remarks on Thursday night, Smith hopped up on the stage to deliver “30 more signatures to the list” of 2,693 submitted on the petition Monday (see picture).

That’s 2,723 signatures imploring the Town Council to restore library funding, he noted. 

But do those signatures talk? Some library advocates might say they speak volumes.