The Empire Remains Intact…For Now…
See Video Below
And the BOE budget escapes scrutiny yet again thanks to the ‘Kool-Aid’ crowd led by Captain Kool-Aid himself Glenn Converse and the supporting cast of George “I don’t remember it that way” McCoy, and Dick Cass the self-proclaimed “tax and spend liberal”. After Mr. Hosmer’s recommendation described below, Mr. Converse offered a counter proposal which he tried to hang on Ron Cabana as his idea- Mr. Cabana quickly refuted that ploy, yet then as the vote was being taken waited to see which way the wind was blowing before casting his…interesting, does he think this is a popularity contest?
When the BOF first directed the BOS and BOE to present a zero increase budget, Dave Hosmer and Russ Dowd made it clear that further cuts may be required due to declining revenues, see the tape -HERE-. It wasn’t remembered that way last night. The general argument from Mr. Converse, Mr. McCoy and others was that since the BOE came in with a zero increase as directed, further cuts should not be pursued; in my opinion this was strictly emotional and not an argument based in any reality…
Speaking of reality, Mrs. Paul was questioned by Russ Dowd as to her statements regarding average teacher salaries and her seeming intent to mislead the Board of Finance. Mr. Dowd did a similar but slightly different analysis than appears in the previous article -HERE-, which included 15 surrounding towns and the Academy- Woodstock ranked 11th highest of the 16- not close to below average. It was also pointed out that Pomfret and Eastford, which Mrs. Paul specifically cited in her statements at the previous meeting as paying well above Woodstock, was not accurate. Mrs. Paul responded with nonsense regarding “different methodologies”. Sorry Lindsay, even at Harvard there is only one way to calculate an average.
During citizen participation Dave Richardson pointed out that despite the zero increase, the proposed combined budget will be in excess of the Prop 46 allowable by more than $750,000. Mr. Shultz reiterated that the $469,352 for the 44 ‘Phantom Students’ that never attended the Academy remains in this budget “like peanut butter spread throughout”; comparing Mr. Converse’s analytical skills to ‘Karnac’ laying the budget to his head and deeming it appropriate.
Mr. Wisnewski questioned Lindsay Paul with regard to her statements comparing teacher raises to social security recipients accepting increases saying that the analogy was “not good”. Mrs. Paul responded by saying that she “regretted the statement”… in retrospect, probably not as much as the Town regrets electing you to the BOE Mrs. Paul.
On to the numbers, the battle lines were clear. Mrs. Murphy, who was not in attendance (Mr. Young was also absent) with alternate Dick Cass sitting in her place, sent email to the BOF members supporting a scenario brought forth by Mr. Hosmer as follows: (all numbers approximate)
Shortfall: $458,633, less $217,393 applied that was left over from the Elementary School project leaving $241,270; half of which to be covered by dipping into the general fund and the remainder to be cut 75%/25% by the BOE and Town respectively- not unreasonable considering the financial environment. The alternative promoted by Mr. Converse, which passed by a vote of 4-2, is that the entire $241,270 come from the general fund, requiring no further cuts- allowing the Empire to skate away clean raises and all, pushing the impending train wreck off into next and subsequent years.
After the meeting, an indignant Lindsay Paul demanded an apology from Russ Dowd regarding his inquiry about her previous statements- she didn’t get it. Good for him.
Video -HERE- 29 minutes Requires Media Player
And the BOE budget escapes scrutiny yet again thanks to the ‘Kool-Aid’ crowd led by Captain Kool-Aid himself Glenn Converse and the supporting cast of George “I don’t remember it that way” McCoy, and Dick Cass the self-proclaimed “tax and spend liberal”. After Mr. Hosmer’s recommendation described below, Mr. Converse offered a counter proposal which he tried to hang on Ron Cabana as his idea- Mr. Cabana quickly refuted that ploy, yet then as the vote was being taken waited to see which way the wind was blowing before casting his…interesting, does he think this is a popularity contest?
When the BOF first directed the BOS and BOE to present a zero increase budget, Dave Hosmer and Russ Dowd made it clear that further cuts may be required due to declining revenues, see the tape -HERE-. It wasn’t remembered that way last night. The general argument from Mr. Converse, Mr. McCoy and others was that since the BOE came in with a zero increase as directed, further cuts should not be pursued; in my opinion this was strictly emotional and not an argument based in any reality…
Speaking of reality, Mrs. Paul was questioned by Russ Dowd as to her statements regarding average teacher salaries and her seeming intent to mislead the Board of Finance. Mr. Dowd did a similar but slightly different analysis than appears in the previous article -HERE-, which included 15 surrounding towns and the Academy- Woodstock ranked 11th highest of the 16- not close to below average. It was also pointed out that Pomfret and Eastford, which Mrs. Paul specifically cited in her statements at the previous meeting as paying well above Woodstock, was not accurate. Mrs. Paul responded with nonsense regarding “different methodologies”. Sorry Lindsay, even at Harvard there is only one way to calculate an average.
During citizen participation Dave Richardson pointed out that despite the zero increase, the proposed combined budget will be in excess of the Prop 46 allowable by more than $750,000. Mr. Shultz reiterated that the $469,352 for the 44 ‘Phantom Students’ that never attended the Academy remains in this budget “like peanut butter spread throughout”; comparing Mr. Converse’s analytical skills to ‘Karnac’ laying the budget to his head and deeming it appropriate.
Mr. Wisnewski questioned Lindsay Paul with regard to her statements comparing teacher raises to social security recipients accepting increases saying that the analogy was “not good”. Mrs. Paul responded by saying that she “regretted the statement”… in retrospect, probably not as much as the Town regrets electing you to the BOE Mrs. Paul.
On to the numbers, the battle lines were clear. Mrs. Murphy, who was not in attendance (Mr. Young was also absent) with alternate Dick Cass sitting in her place, sent email to the BOF members supporting a scenario brought forth by Mr. Hosmer as follows: (all numbers approximate)
Shortfall: $458,633, less $217,393 applied that was left over from the Elementary School project leaving $241,270; half of which to be covered by dipping into the general fund and the remainder to be cut 75%/25% by the BOE and Town respectively- not unreasonable considering the financial environment. The alternative promoted by Mr. Converse, which passed by a vote of 4-2, is that the entire $241,270 come from the general fund, requiring no further cuts- allowing the Empire to skate away clean raises and all, pushing the impending train wreck off into next and subsequent years.
After the meeting, an indignant Lindsay Paul demanded an apology from Russ Dowd regarding his inquiry about her previous statements- she didn’t get it. Good for him.
Video -HERE- 29 minutes Requires Media Player
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