The Killingworth Republican Town Committee has noted that an assembly of concerned town residents have, in a determined signature drive, succeeded in moving this year’s town budget to a referendum for approval in lieu of the traditional open voice vote or show of hands at a Town Hall meeting.
Contrary to recent statements, the ballot box is commonly used in towns throughout Connecticut to approve or disapprove budgets. Clinton for instance recently rejected the town budget put forward by their leaders in this exact manner. The KRTC applauds citizens who exercise their right to take advantage of the most fundamental of all American rights; that of exercising our god given right to freely and privately cast our vote in a democratic process.
The KRTC encourages all of our town residents to review the proposed budget, get informed, and get out to vote for or against the proposed budget on May 31st, 2012 at the Killingworth Elementary School. The voting hours have not yet been determined but we will provide an update when they have been announced. Our town leaders have proposed an Operating Budget totaling $4,181,645 and a Capital Projects Budget of $675,000 (further details of the proposed 2012-2013 Killingworth town budget can be reviewed by visiting the Killingworth Republican Town Committee website at www.KillingworthGOP.org and clicking the ARCHIVES tab).
We encourage all of you to take a few minutes to review the proposed budget and make the time on May 31st, 2012 to cast an informed vote in the privacy of the ballot box where you are free to vote according to your conscience. The KRTC has noted that although the total dollar amount of the Operating Budget has gone down slightly the mill rate applied to your property will have to increase as the town’s Grand List of taxable property value has gone down even more.
Our town leaders have not yet determined the polling hours. The Killingworth Republican Town committee encourages them to do the right thing and set the hours to the maximum time allowed both in the morning and evening to enable every citizen to have the opportunity to exercise their right to be heard on a matter of this importance. We look forward to seeing all of you on May 31st, 2012.
We applaud the efforts of our elected officials in the Board of Finance responsible for preparing the budget, and we respect the diligence they have demonstrated.
(For more information on this issue and other local events, please visit www.KillingworthGOP.org.)
