On February 9, 2016

Haff time: On planning and progress

Dear Editor,

As we approach election time just weeks from now, please know that when you vote for a select person you’re actually voting for somebody whose main job it is to set a budget for our town that takes care of existing infrastructure, roads, public safety (fire/police), schools and recreation. It is not the town’s job to get into private business. Over the past 10 years, I feel that our town hall has gone away from the main purpose of town government — our roads are failing, our pool is failing, our irrigation system at our golf course has limited time left, and now we’ve been told that our fire department needs to be replaced. This select board has put together a budget that does not address any of these issues. They continue to kick the can down the road. Instead what they’ve done in the budget is cut back funding for core capital reserve plans for our town and have decided to add an extra full-time employee to the EDT, (which comes with full benefits.) We’ve also decided to fund other projects such as a park and ride, welcome center, kayak trails and bike trails, which is great IF we were taking care of our existing infrastructure.

Over the course of the next few weeks I look forward to explaining to voters how we can accomplish this and still plan for an exciting future here in Killington. With the right leadership and prioritization much can be accomplished.

Jim Haff, Killington

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Celebrating 60 Years of the Food Stamp Act: Why SNAP must be protected for future generations

September 4, 2024
By Ivy Enoch Editor’s note: Ivy Enoch is SNAP policy and training lead for Hunger Free Vermont. As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Food Stamps Act, now known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) nationally and 3SquaresVT here in Vermont, it is crucial to recognize the profound impact this landmark legislation has had…

Working together to address Vermont’s health care challenges

September 4, 2024
Dear Editor, As Vermont’s population ages and in many places declines, we’re seeing the impact in all aspects of our daily lives — whether it’s housing, education or health care. What’s the core problem in Vermont’s health care system? At its most simple, the number of people paying for care through commercial insurance is going…

We have gained nothing from legalized sports betting

September 4, 2024
Dear Editor, In its first six months legalized sports betting brought $3.5 million dollars in tax revenue to the state of Vermont. Except that Vermonters and visitors bet more than $100 million in that time period and the casinos paid out less than 90%. So $10 million left our economy and we got a $3.5 million return,…

Your public forests are at risk, but you can help

September 4, 2024
Dear Editor, What was at first a peaceful and unassuming summer has now jolted Vermonters with another wave of midyear inundations. Many communities just beginning to get back on their feet from last year’s flooding have been forced back to square one. In the wake of these unfortunate circumstances, we are reminded that Vermont’s forests…