Letter to Paris selectmen

To the Editor:

An Open Letter to the Paris Board of Selectmen:

Discussion of homelessness and poverty have taken place at the Paris Selectmen’s meetings with some even suggesting that town funds, raised for other purposes, be diverted into some sort of social engineering program above and beyond what the town already does.

With that in mind, I would like to draw your attention to a group of people in this town who seem not to appear on anyone’s radar screen. They have no advocates, nor tax-exempt social organizations speaking or acting on their behalf. They are the working poor with stagnant wages, the unemployed, the under employed and retirees with their social security frozen. (While I’ve heard said that 4300 to $1,000 is not a lot of money, keep in mind that it is more than some social security recipients receive monthly.)

These people struggle to make both ends meet as they attempt to make it on their own without a helping hand. However, with the hand of government digging ever deeper into their pockets, with higher taxes and a 32 percent increase in PUD, it is getting more and more difficult.

We are not a community divided simply into haves and have-nots. I believe the vast majority fall into the silent center. These people, struggling to keep their heads above water, are being pushed ever closer to the edge financially. They are being squeezed to the max. I would therefore hope that you keep them in mind as you do your long range planning. Please consider them as well before agreeing to purchase, at taxpayers' expense, every shiny new object that is proposed for dubious purposes.

One selectman suggested that Social Service funds could be used for the town’s General Assistance Program during these difficult times. This is something you may wish to consider.

The report from the Assessor's office (11/12/10) shows total tax exemptions in the Town of Paris total $100,535,700. (I suggest each of you pick up a copy of this nine-page report.) All of these tax-exempt properties receive the same fire, police and highway services provided to taxpayers, but at no cost. I have read that some communities have requested a donation from these organizations to help offset the cost of these services. Not all can or would give, but certainly some would, thereby easing the burden on taxpayers.

Again I request more consideration of the silent center that is feeling the squeeze from all sides. I request that you be more discriminatory between wants and needs. Learn to hold the line and to say “no” to hastily prepared, ill conceived wish lists. Be creative enough to find ways to save instead of spend. It is time to hold the line on government spending.

Thank you for your attention to these matters. I hope you find them as worthy of discussion and consideration as golf carts and diverting funds to new, un-funded projects and programs.

Barbara Payne

South Paris

To the Editor:

An Open Letter to the Paris Board of Selectmen:

Discussion of homelessness and poverty have taken place at the Paris Selectmen’s meetings with some even suggesting that town funds, raised for other purposes, be diverted into some sort of social engineering program above and beyond what the town already does.

With that in mind, I would like to draw your attention to a group of people in this town who seem not to appear on anyone’s radar screen. They have no advocates, nor tax-exempt social organizations speaking or acting on their behalf. They are the working poor with stagnant wages, the unemployed, the under employed and retirees with their social security frozen. (While I’ve heard said that 4300 to $1,000 is not a lot of money, keep in mind that it is more than some social security recipients receive monthly.)

These people struggle to make both ends meet as they attempt to make it on their own without a helping hand. However, with the hand of government digging ever deeper into their pockets, with higher taxes and a 32 percent increase in PUD, it is getting more and more difficult.

We are not a community divided simply into haves and have-nots. I believe the vast majority fall into the silent center. These people, struggling to keep their heads above water, are being pushed ever closer to the edge financially. They are being squeezed to the max. I would therefore hope that you keep them in mind as you do your long range planning. Please consider them as well before agreeing to purchase, at taxpayers' expense, every shiny new object that is proposed for dubious purposes.

One selectman suggested that Social Service funds could be used for the town’s General Assistance Program during these difficult times. This is something you may wish to consider.

The report from the Assessor's office (11/12/10) shows total tax exemptions in the Town of Paris total $100,535,700. (I suggest each of you pick up a copy of this nine-page report.) All of these tax-exempt properties receive the same fire, police and highway services provided to taxpayers, but at no cost. I have read that some communities have requested a donation from these organizations to help offset the cost of these services. Not all can or would give, but certainly some would, thereby easing the burden on taxpayers.

Again I request more consideration of the silent center that is feeling the squeeze from all sides. I request that you be more discriminatory between wants and needs. Learn to hold the line and to say “no” to hastily prepared, ill conceived wish lists. Be creative enough to find ways to save instead of spend. It is time to hold the line on government spending.

Thank you for your attention to these matters. I hope you find them as worthy of discussion and consideration as golf carts and diverting funds to new, un-funded projects and programs.

Barbara Payne

South Paris