Override Opponent Responds to Recent Posts by Reading Selectman

In response to recent posts by Selectman Barry Berman and Selectman Andy Friedmann on the Reading Patch, I want to share the following core principle of my efforts, under the slogan Responsible Reading, that seeks to defeat the override on the April 3 town election ballot.

I believe a good majority of Reading citizens are currently satisfied with the level of services they are receiving from the town/schools and they do not support an override. They expect the town/schools to live within our means when it comes to property taxes, best expressed by the state law that limits annual local property tax increases, commonly known as Prop 2 1/2.

In support of this core principle, I believe the majority of citizens want our elected leaders and senior town managers to look even further for new revenue streams and to strive harder for systemic changes to slow the rate of growth in the costs of 'budget busters', such as employee healthcare costs and special education.

I am very confident this grass-roots effort, with no donations, little to no expenses, will win this vote! Please send me e-mail addresses and/or phone numbers of those against the override so I can remind them to vote on election day. There is a need for volunteers to drive folks to the polls on election day, especially ours seniors. Start making yard signs and stand-out signs at no-cost, low-cost. I am working to have a debate with the other side on RCTV. Please send me your ideas on how to keep our town government efficient and reasonable in size to use in this debate and future posts.

The best way to share anything with me is responsiblereading@gmail.com.

Most importantly, please share with at least ten family, friends, neighbors, etc. how you feel about the proposed override and ask them to vote NO on April 3. Thank you!

Brook Chipman, Bond Street