Your Voices: New London Budget Referendum

Voters go to the polls on Tuesday to made a decision on whether to approve the $42,323,256 budget approved for municipal services. The referendum will also determine whether the 27.22 mill rate, a 7.5 percent increase over the current mill rate of 25.31, should be approved. Supporters say the budget has already been pared to a point where municipal services will be affected if further cuts are made, while opponents say there is insufficient information about the budget and that cuts can be made in areas such as overtime.

Here are some of the statements that have been made regarding the referendum:

"New London has immense potential, but it will not be met if everyone is fighting for scraps. We must work together to support each other and our government. We must keep our streets, our buildings, and our citizens safe. We must preserve our services, maintain our solvency and bond rating, and strengthen development prospects. We have already cut the fat. Cutting off limbs won't help us dig ourselves out of this financial pit." -James Dixon in a New London Patch blog

"Because I believe that the current budget increase is reasonable, and that something like a 7.5% increase is required to make up for recently lost revenues, I have no intention to gut city government if the budget fails at referendum. I will, however, use the opportunity to again request from the Finance Department, the missing elements from the budget...Most of this information was provided in the Mayor's proposed budget, but not the City Council adopted budget." -Councilor Adam Sprecace in a Facebook post

"If we accept this budget we will be righting our own ship, on our own terms. If the state is forced to right it for us, the service cuts and tax increases imposed on us would be far harsher; just ask Waterbury, or any other community that went through such a process. Such an event could sacrifice all the great progress that we are beginning to see in our city." -Mayor Daryl Finizio in an editorial in The Day

"With this adopted budget and measures taken by the Office of the Mayor we have a lean administration, smaller than recent fiscal years. We have a lean adopted budget that incorporates transparency, accountability and specific goals and incorporates a relatively small increase in debt services and insurance premiums. It calls on building what is vital to work and eliminating waste and redundancy." -Tambria Moore, treasurer of Unite New London, in an editorial for The Scope Magazine

"As a resident of New London for over a decade, a property owner, someone who works in New London, and a proud parent of 2 children who attend New London public schools, this vote severely impacts my life, my livelihood, and possibly my ability to maintain residence in a city I've come to love and call home.  Making the most informed decision means nothing is left to chance or assumption." -Sherry Pardy in a New London Patch blog

"As a New London resident and local restaurant owner, I certainly understand the burden of additional taxes. As a Republican, I don't usually support tax increases. However, in order for New London to move in a positive direction, I believe we need to support Mayor Finizio's budget. Without the revenue that a tax increase will bring into our city, I fear that the very essence that is 'New London' will be lost." -Candace Devendittis, owner of Dev's on Bank Street, in a letter to the editor in The Day

"I still think there is room in the budget for work and I am ready to put the time in to do the work and get the fat out of the budget, no matter how long it takes!" -Councilor Marie-Friess McSparran in a Facebook post

"Before you cast your vote, consider that many of us are just looking to be better informed and more confident that this is the best budget for our city right now. The price for the tax payer is too high to make anything less than a confident, informed choice. Our families have invested many years into this city and want nothing less than to see it reach its potential, but we must remain grounded and recognize that a 7.5% tax increase may not be the only option." -Jackie Hernandez commenting on an article in the Connecticut College student newspaper The College Voice regarding an effort to involve college students in the referendum

"A yes vote is a vote against the city, against transparency, against honesty, against accountability and against integrity." -Randy Drummond in a comment on the New London Patch

"If you are voting no to stick it to the mayor this will not accomplish this. A no vote only hurts you and your neighbors. The fact that the republicans are supporting a no vote should give you reason for pause. They were the ones in power when the contingency fund shrunk from millions of dollars to 300,000+" -Brian Giesing in a comment on the New London Patch

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