The BET held a special meeting via Zoom on Tuesday afternoon with just one item on the agenda: to reconsider FY 21 approved budget before it gets sent on to the RTM for approval. The special meeting was scheduled at the request of Democrats on the BET after an outcry from public school parents over cuts to the education budget. The Republican controlled BET had voted last week during a contentious meeting to cut $3 million from the education budget leaving it at current academic year spending levels. The Democrats had proposed instead a $700,000 cut. Despite the meeting lasting only about 40 minutes, and almost 400 people listening on mute, most of the session was taken up by arguments over motions, Robert’s Rules of Order, and consulting the new Town Attorney Vin Marino. Continue Reading →
Jeff Ramer
Recent Posts
BET Cuts Greenwich Schools Budget $3 Million in Party Line Vote
|
The BET decision day meeting started with two hours dedicated to Greenwich Public Schools budget, during which about 200 people tuned in via Zoom. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Government, Andy Duus, Beth Krumeich, Bill Drake, David Weisbrod, Debra Hess, Jeff Ramer, Karen Fassuliotis
CAMILLO: BET Democrats Unnecessarily Attacked Town Staff on PAYT
|
“…I would be happy to continue this discussion and move the implementation back a year or so and support a tipping fee to act as a bridge until the public has had enough time to see the true benefits of the program and its value to the community.” – Fred Camillo, Greenwich First Selectman Continue Reading →
Filed under: Letter to the Editor, Beth Krumeich, David Weisbrod, Fred Camillo, Jeff Ramer, Laura Erickson, Leslie Moriarty, Miriam Kreuzer
BET DEMOCRATS: Pay As You Throw Is a Rushed Attempt to Address Budget Gaps
|
“The plan is a rushed attempt designed mainly to address budgetary gaps, rather than a thoughtful environmental approach that has community buy-in and support.” – BET Democrats Continue Reading →
Filed under: Letter to the Editor, Beth Krumeich, David Weisbrod, Jeff Ramer, Laura Erickson, Leslie Moriarty, Miriam Kreuzer
BET Decides Against Special Committee to Investigate 2017 Election Campaigns
|
At the Dec 16 BET meeting the board made three appropriations and discussed the future of the Nathaniel Witherell. They also decided to ask the RTC and DTC to offer training to campaigns to avoid repeating some of the mistakes made in the 2017 election. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Government, BET, Board of Estimate and Taxation, DTC, Jeff Ramer, RTC, SEEC
RAMER: Respecting Town Budget History
|
“No, Mr. Camillo. You don’t understand Town finance. Your adversary, Jill Oberlander, does. She was at the helm for the creation of most of what has been accomplished over the past two years of the Democratic controlled BET, which she chaired.” – Jeff Ramer Continue Reading →
Filed under: Letter to the Editor, BET, Fred Camillo, Jeff Ramer, Jill Oberlander
LETTER: Everything You Need to Know About Democratic Leadership on the BET and What to Expect Going Forward
|
“The Democrats have two years of track record in the majority and have demonstrated proven results.” – Laura Erickson, Miriam Kreuzer, Beth Krumeich, Leslie Moriarty, Jeff Ramer and David Weisbrod Continue Reading →
Filed under: Letter to the Editor, Beth Krumeich, David Weisbrod, Jeff Ramer, Laura Erickson, Leslie Moriarty, Miriam Kreuzer
Candidates Speak at Largest Turnout in Decades for Greenwich Democrats Annual Picnic
|
Greenwich Democrats Annual Picnic featured remarks from Richard Blumenthal, Governor Ned Lamont, Congressman Jim Himes, Senator Chris Murphy, Attorney General William Tong, Secretary of State Denise Merrill, State Senator Alex Bergstein, State Rep Steve Meskers and Greenwich Candidates including Jill Oberlander and Sandy Litvack. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Government, Beth Krumeich, Chris Murphy, David Weisbrod, Denise Merrill, Greenwich Botanical Center, Greenwich Democrats, Howard Richman
Republican Selectmen Demur on Investigation of Unauthorized Filming; Democrats Cry “Felony,” “Inside Job”
|
“Gentlemen, this appears as though it was an inside job. It had to be an inside job. We are sitting here today rapidly approaching 90 days since it was brought to anyone’s attention, giving those involved plenty of time to destroy records and cover up the tracks.” – Tony Turner, DTC Chair Continue Reading →
Filed under: Government, Ed Dadakis, First Selectman, Jeff Ramer, Joanna Swomley, John Toner, Luch von Brachel, Melissa Evans
Municipal and Schools Budgets Proposed for FY ’19-20, Public Comments Focus on Turf, Ice Rink
|
On Thursday night Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei presented his recommended budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2019 and ending on June 30, 2020 to the BET. Ralph Mayo presented the proposed public school budget. During a 90 minute public hearing many residents urged the BET not to include funds for artificial turf, and to fund a new Hamill Rink. Continue Reading →