Chatham Chatlist Highlights

Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:15:19 -0500
From: Michael E. Burke
Subject: re: Survey of Chatham Taxpayers

i greatly appreciate the effort behind the survey,  though i did find some of the yes/no type questions at the end rather difficult to answer mainly because the issue presented is much more complex than just a yes/no reply…

the blanket statement of increased spending by our local government, well that comes down to what you see as the role of government in our lives.  to me it is basic, to provide those services necessary to ensure the general health and safety for the people of the county.  so a couple of questions come to mind…how much of this spending was “catch up” due
to the county’s changing dynamics?  how much of this spending was to ensure these services would continue into the future as they are now or better? how much of this spending was brought about by having to comply to federal and state mandates?

i did find the proposal of the last question did have merit, yet to hamstring the commissioners in such a fashion has the potential to diminish the services i expect from my government to provide for my general health and safety.  i have the faith that the commissioners are working for the good of the people and are being diligent in their duties, including the responsible spending of our tax dollars. i wouldn’t be at all surprised if they didn’t incorporate a similar type of a reduction as presented in their future budgets.

as i said, it comes down to what you expect of your government and for sure there are those who don’t trust it and find it intrusive.  i can say there have been times i have been of such a mind, but in the balance of things, the good far outweighs the bad and to me that equates to a better quality of life for all the people of the county

meburke