Thursday, February 11, 2010

To the Editor:

I attended the budget hearing and listened intently as everyone gave their opinion on the proposed bond and warrant articles.

After listening to all of the arguments for and against proposed increases to our tax base, I have to say I’m not convinced a tax increase is needed at this time.

It was clear to me that the improvements to McKelvie included projects that were not an absolute necessity. It makes no sense to propose spending increases on anything that’s not absolutely necessary.

We heard a lot about how teachers deserved a raise. Everyone kept comparing the salaries to other districts and noting that our teachers are not paid at the same level as other comparable districts. One thing that was left out of this discussion was, our teachers are paid far more than teachers working in private schools. This idea that our teachers are underpaid is not true when you compare their salaries to all schools instead of a select few.

Teachers in private schools are equally dedicated and equal in quality. I know this because we sent our kids to a private high school. We found the teachers to be of impeccable quality, and they were equally dedicated to their students. Their salaries are substantially lower than what we pay Bedford teachers. Parents in private schools understand, value isn’t determined by a paycheck.

I work for a Fortune 500 company. I put in 12-hour days and was denied a raise last year. It was the first time in 25 years I didn’t get a raise which is generally 2 percent to 3 percent. I don’t believe for a minute that my employer doesn’t value my dedication and expertise. I do realize that we are in a tough economy right now and running our company in the most efficient manner is necessary.

Why should public employees be treated any different from the rest of us? It seems reasonable to me that wages should be frozen unless the Administration can come up with additional cuts to offset the raises.

It would have been wise for the union to renegotiate the raises and show the community a good faith effort. Instead they dug their heels in refusing to budge on the average 5 percent raise.

As my property taxes go up, I risk the value of my home going down. Until that becomes a necessity, I wont be supporting any tax increase proposals. I’m voting no on all of them.

JAMES W. PATTERSON

Bedford