Charlemont voters, if the huge increase in your tax bill took you by surprise when you opened your tax bill last January, brace yourself for what is now proposed.
If this were a tweet I’d write: Just say ‘NO’ to the budget and any money articles until we know all the additional taxes that will be levied on us for our bridges.
But I am a writer and a lifelong learner.
In 1722, Ben Franklin, a mere lad of 16, as an indentured apprentice to his older brother, wrote “broadsides” under the pseudonym of Silence Dogood in the N.E. Courant. He presented himself as an old widow who challenged the elected Massachusetts Assembly.
Ah, some things never change. Old words still ring true. If our government at any level is not working or as precisely said in the Declaration of Independence. “That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to substitute new government…” It is my preference and recommendation to alter government as it has become oppressive.
It serves no purpose to us now to argue whose fault this is because we are all to blame. Years of uncritical acceptance of assorted mandates on education, land-use, health care, policing, social services, transportation, labor laws and ambulance regulations have brought us to this point.
How have we come to begging state government to waive or modify regulations that are counter productive, such as, a box culvert vs a bridge. I want a reality TV show that each week highlights 10 foolish government regulations — that would be a long running show.
But to approve any part of this budget article or money articles without a full understanding of what is coming debt-wise is … (fill in your own word).
Be not frightened by “the-sky-will-fall-in-if” words. We can function month to month for at least six months until the state stops their arbitrary actions on bridges. If we were to repair the ones they have closed, what is to stop them from closing more and more. What is the full extent and cost to all of our 26 bridges? We are entitled to answers. We should not commit to any money issues until we know what is coming shortly.
Marguerite Morris Willis
Charlemont