Submitted by Brian Raabe
I had a fairly benign final Letter to the Editor written before next week’s election.
“Who do you believe and does it really matter what you call it – a cut, or a reduction to school funding, or whatever – when there’s less money, students suffer.”
But yesterday Harry Fisher published a statement on the recent budget guidelines and additional, new school cuts.
He said the detailed numbers – which have rightfully caused anger – will not be released to the public before the election.
Tossing my benign closing statement out.
Let’s burn the boats.
Here is exactly what went down with these recent, critical numbers (that will not be released to voters to judge).
First, they will likely cut education millions once again, on top of last year’s $4 million.
The guidelines were shared in a broadcast Town meeting last week.
Reaction was from the public was very negative.
Now – in an effort to hide the baloney – they’re simply not going to release the budget guidelines, ostensibly because it’s too close to the election.
The logic being (just a guess), ‘Why keep electrocuting ourselves?’
Such an air of invincibility, they didn’t even think about the election when throwing down last week’s additional cuts.
But there’s been unanticipated blowback since last week’s meeting.
Row B is scrambling.
A bunch of hand wringing and looking around the room, ‘What are we going to do?!’
Let’s bury the numbers.
What?
Bury ‘em. It never happened.
Genius!
No need to make things worse by actually releasing the facts. (See Harry’s statement linked above).
Oh phew!
A collective sigh of relief from Row B.
That is their strategy, ‘Run and hide.’
And Harry calls the blowback to this additional school budget cut, “Democratic Misinformation” in his statement.
I’m unaffiliated and can add. That’s really all that’s needed here.
Anything these guys don’t like they call misinformation.
Go to the meeting tape.
It’s information.
Only a party apparatchik would consider it anything else.
The Greenwich Time Headline from yesterday morning?
“Greenwich budget guidelines would likely mean cuts to schools.”
I guess the Greenwich Time is in on the misinformation conspiracy too.
It’s not paranoia, It’s just that the whole world is out to get Row B, right?
This group is counting on voters being too lazy to do the homework and see where they’re at.
They’ve decided to not release the numbers – making detailed analysis impossible – and hope for the best.
The whole math thing has proven overrated for the BET leadership the last few years.
Schools have suffered a total of $8 million in school cuts over two years in an inflationary environment.
Yet the Row B lawn signs say they’re pro-schools.
Welcome to the George Santos school of campaign politics.
This is what Row B under Harry Fisher and the Republican BET has brought. The lowest common denominator.
It may even be illegal.
What?! How can that be after First Selectman Camillo’s lawsuit against – well, the Town – and his high horse weekly email last Friday admonishing some to “act legally in the future.”
Well, Mr. First Selectman – not sure your guy Harry and your BET can unilaterally withhold output and records from a public meeting. Looking into it.
Grounds to nullify an election?
Who knows.
Probably merits a call to Town Counsel regardless.
And the laughable reason the numbers aren’t being released is to allow consultation with the First Selectman and Republican BET candidates. Harry actually says that.
We’re supposed to believe you guys didn’t talk ahead of time?
That’s rich… or dereliction.
One, or the other.
‘Republican BET putting out budget guidelines that weren’t vetted by the Republican First Selectman’s office or Republican candidates.’
Not a great look.
Not even close to believable.
This is Row B’s final act before the election.
Cut the budget. Hide the budget. See no budget.
This is the self proclaimed, “transparency and working together caucus.”
Vote Row A.
The most votes in total for either party secures the tie breaking BET vote.
If Row A secures more votes overall, they secure the Chair of the BET and the tie breaking vote.
The same tie breaking vote Grandmaster Harry has flashed 20 times to cut schooling and other critical projects.
This has to end. It’s beneath all of us that want the best for our kids and town.
Vote Row A.
How can you trust a crew that buries the numbers that voters have every right to see.
Numbers the Republican BET has a duty to publish.
They have forfeited the right to office with this final act.
Vote for all of Row A and fund schools.
Elliot Alchek
Matt DesChamps
Laura Erickson
Doug Fenton
Stephen Selbst
David Weisbrod
Note: the deadline to submit LTEs about candidates in the Nov 4, 2025 municipal election is Oct 28 at 12:00 noon.