Submitted by Laura Erickson, Democratic candidate for Board of Estimate and Taxation
I am running for the BET for a third term because this Board needs new leadership. It’s time for a proactive, forward-thinking approach. We have to plan for the future and fix things before they fall apart.
The unprecedented number of tie breaking votes cast by Republican Chairs over the last several budget cycles tell the story of a BET that is not listening to the professionals in Town Hall, outside experts, or the wishes of the community.
Let’s be clear: every election is a mill rate election.
It’s the fundamental job of a Finance Board to minimize the tax rate while delivering the town services that residents expect and ensuring that capital assets and infrastructure are in a state of good condition. Leadership is striking the right balance. We all know that public companies strive to maximize shareholder profit. Enterprises that focus solely on short term profit and fail to deliver high quality products or services will inevitably weaken over time.
Greenwich prides itself on its low mill rate but we are no exception. Our value will erode if we continue to miss the mark on planning, innovation and delivering for our residents. It’s time to look under the hood and realistically assess the state of our Town.
Taxpayers are feeling the ill effects of a dysfunctional BET in their wallets. Residents assume the financial house is in order until they find something they care about – such as schools, neighborhood safety, ADA compliance, flooding mitigation and fire coverage- and start realizing how difficult it is to get anything accomplished.
It’s not only arduous, it also ends up being more expensive. Our united team is committed to lead with transparency, and we will effectively manage the operating and capital budgets with affordable and predictable rates of taxation. After a period of internal conflict, the Republican Town Committee has rearranged the deck chairs and there are some new and familiar faces running for the BET.
They are asking voters to take a leap of faith and just “trust us.”
I’m asking you, as a responsible voter, to look at the facts. The voting record of the Democratic members of the BET stands in stark contrast with Republican counterparts.
• BET Democrats have supported requests from police and fire for capital purchases needed to perform their duties.
• BET Democrats have voted in favor of adequate funding for ADA compliance, 35 years after the law was passed.
• BET Democrats have advocated for transparency and an accurate capital plan that includes reasonable estimates for known projects, including sidewalks, and to prepare for more severe weather events and flooding.
• BET Republicans unilaterally passed a $4 million cut to the school operating budget without rigorous analysis or an understanding of the ramifications of such a cut. • Republican delays in funding both Central Middle School and Old Greenwich School have cost taxpayers dearly. Elections are won by people that exercise their voting power. Our community needs you to be informed voters.
Talk to your friends and neighbors, consult the League of Women Voters Greenwich and if you need primary sources, watch the Decision Day meetings from last April 3 and 4th on GCTV.
I respectfully ask for your votes for the six BET candidates on Row A. Early voting starts Monday, October 20.
Laura Erickson
The writer served on the BET from 2019-2023.