City Councilor David Flaherty
Winter is Coming…
The winter season started Thursday with a nice coating of the white stuff. I’m one of those weirdos who likes the snow, and loves to ski, so I’m looking forward to the winter. We also really need a good snowy winter to build back up our water reservoirs.
For “Game of Thrones” fans, “Winter is coming” has another meaning, and one that is more in line with my projections of the upcoming challenges with the city budget, and with government in general. There is a great uprising of dissatisfaction throughout the country, and I think that years of misbehavior by some elected officials and government employees, and misappropriation of taxpayer’s money and trust is going to create significant challenges in the near future – no matter who wins the Presidential Election. We won’t have White Walkers or The Walking Dead, but I expect a lot of discouraged dissatisfied angry people leading groups (or mobs) who are eager to change some of our government systems.
Locally, we’re quickly approaching our Levy Ceiling (the maximum we can collect in local property taxes). I talked about that in a previous article, and I’ve seen nothing to indicate that there has been any change in the trajectory of city spending or in projected future property values. When we hit that ceiling, we won’t be able to increase taxes enough to pay for everything we need in the city. Hard choices will have to be made.
The City Council and the executive office are still approving labor contracts without knowing the true costs for each year, nor where the money is supposed to come from to pay for the contracts. This just doesn’t make any sense. None of you would do this in your personal life, and in my opinion, it’s inexcusable for elected officials to do this, and to burden you and future generations with unknown debts and obligations. There’s no reason not to disclose the true costs and the plans for paying for these contracts.
The property tax rates will be set in the coming weeks. Once the City receives its approved Property Valuations and Free Cash numbers from the state, the Mayor and City Council will be setting the tax shift which will result in the new property tax rates. This is usually done at a City Council meeting in late November or early December. I’ll write another article before that meeting, and I’d encourage residents and business owners to express their opinions about the tax increase to their elected officials. As mentioned in previous articles, this year’s tax increase will be the largest since I’ve been a City Councilor – unless there happens to be a huge windfall that nobody knows about yet that can be used to reduce the taxes.
This year is a big election year. We have the Presidential election, Massachusetts House and Senate, and four State Ballot Questions. We also have early voting for the first time.
At the last City Council meeting another City Councilor proposed that the City Council take a vote on Question 2 – the Charter School question. I, and many of the other City Councilors, opposed this action. We don’t feel it’s appropriate at all for the City Council (the body as a whole) to take a public position on a ballot question, nor to tell people how we think they should vote. We don’t want the City Council body to be used as a marketing tool for one position or another on contentious state and national topics that are clearly beyond the scope of the City Council. After hearing from several City Councilors, the item was killed before a vote was taken. Hopefully, these types of motions won’t be made in the future.
I, and other councilors, are happy to discuss our personal opinions, or the share our knowledge on several issues when asked by our friends and neighbors.
I voted on the first day of early voting. It was a very quick and easy experience, and I hope we keep this system in place in the coming years. I think it will greatly improve voter participation.
People have asked me how I voted or what I thought about various issues. In the past I’ve avoided answering this, but given the contentious nature of this year’s election, I figured I’d take a few moments to give you my thought process and opinions.
First, I’m not advising anyone how to vote, and I understand that not everyone thinks the same nor has the same experiences. I respect everyone’s unique opinion, and would never change my personal feeling about someone just because they held a different opinion on a political or social matter.
One the national level, I’m frankly disgusted at the process and the campaigns. I’m sick of it, and I don’t support either candidate. I really want to vote FOR someone, not AGAINST someone else, nor for the lesser of two evils. I want to vote for a leader with good morals, and values, and experience, and leadership skills who will act like a responsible adult role model and who will honor and defend the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the land. I want to vote for someone who serves the country instead of serving themselves. I want to vote for someone who can work with people who have diverse interests and opinions to do what’s best for the country – not the special interest groups. I want to vote for someone who I will be proud to say “I supported …” in the future. That’s not the case this year. Both leading candidates fail in areas that I think are the most critical. I chose the write-in option.
I voted for our Senator and Representative.
On the Ballot Questions, I voted against the expansion of gambling. I like going to the casinos occasionally, and I don’t have a problem with adults choosing to spend their time and money on gambling entertainment. However, there are plenty of options already.
On Question #2, I voted for the expansion of Charter Schools. I think every student ought to be given an opportunity for a great education. Unfortunately, several cities in the state have public schools that are not delivering the education that kids need and deserve. This ballot question really only affects 9 cities that have huge demand for Charter Schools and who are restrained by the existing legislated cap. I recognize that it costs cities and towns money to send kids to Charter Schools, but that’s no different than sending kids to Vocational or Agricultural schools. I’m not persuaded by the Teachers Union lobbying group who argue about “private companies” making a profit off school students. Private companies already make profits off students with buildings, books, materials, technology, etc… The Teacher’s Union itself survives on public money. Charter Schools threated the teacher’s unions by not requiring union membership, and by offering working terms that are quite different from the norm (such as extended day learning). I’m ok with giving Charter Schools the flexibility they need to deliver the education they offer to their students.
I’m also not dissuaded because a couple of Charter Schools haven’t worked out. Frankly, lots of public schools are not doing so well either, and there are many parents and concerned citizens who would love to close down several public schools around the state if they could. I think choice in education is important. I know several students who have chosen to attend the Performing Arts school, different Vocational schools, faith-based schools, or private middle schools and high schools. I know some who have chosen the home school option. I’m fine with all of those options, and would be fine with some public money (thinking $5,000-$7,000 annual school choice voucher) flowing to any or all of them in order to provide choices for a great education to our kids.
On Question #3, I voted not to change the law. In my opinion, the proposed changes would increase the cost of food, and would be micro-managing the farmers. It would also make it harder for producers outside of Massachusetts to deliver food into Massachusetts (because the farming rules in their state may be more lenient than Massachusetts). I certainly don’t endorse animal cruelty, but I’m confident that our farmers know what they are doing, and that we already have plenty of regulation and enforcement.
On Questions #4, I voted NO. I really don’t care what adults ingest or smoke in the privacy of their home – as long as they don’t do things that hurt others. I have friends who use marijuana in the same way that other’s use alcohol. I know that marijuana has medical value for many people, and that it’s not physically addictive like some other drugs. However, I also know people and families who have been devastated by drug and alcohol abuse, and I know of many cases of innocent individuals being hurt or killed by others who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. I have worked with young people for about twenty years, and have consistently spoken against the misuse of drugs and alcohol. Therefore, I just can’t vote for legalization of recreational drugs. For the record, I’d vote against tobacco too, and I was very happy to see the laws change the minimum purchase age to twenty-one. The tobacco industry has produced products that are both bad for you and extremely addictive. It’s too late to ban tobacco, and it’s way too popular, but I’m all in favor of taking steps that reduce the number of young people who get hooked by this bad, unhealthy, expensive habit.
There you have it. Again, these are my thoughts and rationales. Everyone is different, and I hope you all make the effort to vote in this very important election.
Have a wonderful weekend and Halloween. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving in a few weeks.
Regards,
Dave Flaherty
City Councilor
[email protected]
