Letter To The Editor: Fleming For Putnam County Executive

Dear Editor,

I have known Maureen Fleming since I moved up to Putnam nearly 20 years ago. In that period of time, I have been so impressed with her character. She has amazing skills: she is intelligent, a mother, an attorney, and a skilled Supervisor of the Town of Kent. Throughout her 3 terms she has reduced debt service by 38% and added $1.4 million to the general fund.

On the other hand, during Odell’s term of office, there have been lots of questions raised. For example, Tillie Foster, the Butterfield project and the use of the Putnam Golf Club to name a few. No clear answers have been provided by the current County Executive. Instead of answers we get lots of talk about other things – not answers to our questions.

Mary Ellen Odell has recently trumpeted that we “only” have a 2% increase in taxes in compliance with the tax cap. The problem is that she’s also using $4 million of the general fund to pay for her budget. Hmmm…To make matters worse, this year is the SEVENTH county tax increase in a row. She blames it on spending mandates. Trouble is that spending choices to meet mandates are fully within the executive’s control.

The other major item that doesn’t make sense is the financial picture at Putnam Golf Course. While Odell says the Golf Course is on solid financial ground, the fact is that October expenses for the Golf Course have exceeded income generated by $223,055.55. Check page 187 of the budget documents to see for yourself.

Join me in changing the leadership in Putnam County.

Sincerely,

Challen H. Armstrong