Amherst Times

EDITORIAL – Editor:  James Tricoli

It is clear that the people of Amherst don’t get concerned about Amherst’s problems until they touch them. The proposed 2009 budget will not only raise taxes but take away many of the services we are used to.  It will also greatly affect our schools and make a much bigger impact on our pocket.

THIS FACT MUST BE MADE CLEAR.  THIS YEAR AND LAST WE TOOK 12.5 MILLION DOLLARS FROM OUR FUND BALANCE TO BALANCE OUR POORLY MADE DEFAULT BUDGETS.

If the new budget isn’t corrected it will be the beginning of something you will become very angry about because the Supervisor said the taxes won’t increase.  That is not the case.  The cost of everything else in government will increase. 

After this past Monday’s Town Board work session I talked to six out of the seven Council members concerning Supervisor Mohan’s budget.  It is now the Board’s turn to add to or detract from this budget.  Each member expressed real concern for how much necessary equipment and services the Town needs NOW which are not provided for in the budget as it stands. 

The six Council members I spoke with said this budget was a mess.  It looked like it was made with smoke and mirrors.  It’s badly in need of an overhaul to make it more responsible to needs of the Town.

Each Council member had several items submitted by Department Heads which should be and in some cases must be in the budget.  Supervisor Mohan sadly misjudged the real needs of our Town.

Hopefully, this budget will be corrected because if the people in Amherst aren’t paying attention we could follow Buffalo’s trail into the wonderful world of the RED AND GREEN budget mess.