Submitted by Brian Raabe, Old Greenwich
Imagine you are approached with an offer.
“I will give you $4.00 for every $1.00 you invest.”
You would think it was a con.
Now imagine the offer is made more compelling with, “If you don’t invest (and enjoy the 4 dollars from me for every dollar you spend) you risk the lives of your neighbors and friends.”
What?! This is crazy…
But it’s not crazy, it is a bona fide offer, backed by the United States government.
ZERO RISK.
You would take the money, wouldn’t you?
In this case its money for a much-needed traffic and safety study for the town.
But there is in fact a catch.
“Oh, here we go,” you’re thinking. “I knew it.”
You see, elected officials have decided they don’t want the money.
First Selectman Camillo wants it.
A majority of the BET does not.
And so, and this is the reality of it, the fatal pedestrian accidents we have suffered as a town will go unexamined and unaddressed.
What could possibly be the justification?
Is there some twisted logic of fiscal conservatism that suggests this is the hill to literally die on, so Greenwich does its part in balancing the federal budget?
I think there are much larger portions of the budget that could stand review, and have an impact, than a $400,000 grant to the Town of Greenwich.
“But every bit counts,” may be the argument for refusing the grant.
I am sorry, the federal deficit is not top of mind when I cast my LOCAL vote.
A neighbor not getting killed walking to the Old Greenwich train or walking their dog is top of mind when I vote.
The BET needs to do their LOCAL duty and vote in favor of securing $400,000 in federal funds for the town’s $100,000 spent.
That is the job they were hired for, a Town of Greenwich job for the betterment of its residents.
Members of the BET in opposition should keep their misguided notions of national financial engineering and perversion of fiscal conservatism out of it.
If you agree, kindly let the BET know.