Over the past few weeks I’ve had the chance to reflect on the past years’ events and debates. As we embark on a new world in which we hopefully recognize more that unites us than divides, it’s important that we consider where we have been and take responsibility for the future. Placing blame solely on... Continue Reading →

I have been close to these budgets.  Very close.  A “lack of funding” cannot be the culprit for every decision from local officials that change services or reconsider programming.  When a 1% or 2% fiscal nudge in anything is blamed, I seriously question the competence and/or the integrity of those using the argument.  Imagine raising... Continue Reading →

To The Readers: The current budget referendum has been causing quite a stir in town.  The town is divided into two camps, those opposed to the decrease and those in approval of the decrease.  The money in question, 1.1 million transportation savings, from early school closings. The first budget meeting was presented with a preliminary... Continue Reading →

The July 14 referendum vote has generated a lot of heated debate over the past few weeks. I have been asked many times about the real effects to the district, and I've honestly struggled to separate the facts from the rhetoric. It is hard for some to understand how one can be a supporter of... Continue Reading →

The Referendum on July 14th has been long in the making. For as long as I remember, the people in South Kingstown have always supported our schools. Even the reductions we will consider still represent spending increases, just not as high as have been asked. Through several meetings, both virtual and in real life, many... Continue Reading →

Last year I wrote about the so called cut list charade. Former School Committee chair Roland Benjamin also discussed it here. The cut list is a political tool employed by superintendents to activate community support for their budget. Generally, the items included on these lists are emotionally charged and easily used to drive parents to... Continue Reading →

It has been more than a decade since the community has had a Special Election to determine the town budget. On July 14th, there are two budget changes to consider. One is a reduction of the property tax transfer to the schools and the other is a reduction to the municipal budget. Initially, the schools... Continue Reading →

There was a petition handed into the town hall on Tuesday asking that the town residents be allowed to vote on this year’s budget. This is our charter outlined process and an all-day, in-person referendum on June 9th is the only way citizens can change the adopted budget. I, for one, fully supported the petition.... Continue Reading →

During last year’s budget discussions, I wrote a blog entry about taxes and trust. In it, I argued that I view taxes and proposed increases through a lens of trust. What was missing in the discussion then, as still is now, is whether our government is trustworthy enough to spend our resources wisely, with the... Continue Reading →