Final stop: Funding vote

A senior center is a good idea but what about the young people of Dalton. If the kids don't play sports they don't exist. Years ago they took the Community House away from them and made a health club out of it. When I was growing up we lived at the Cow House. I was talking to a now retired police officer one day and he was talking about the trouble they were having with the kids in town. What else have they got?

The annual increase in the tax rate to pay for the project would be about $51 per year for five years for a home with the average assessed value of $214,000. After five years, that increase would drop to about $11 per year for ongoing operation of the center.

... go ahead. More money I don't have to give to another group of people. It is amazing how special interest groups, politicians, lobbyists - all of the above - think I can just pull money out of the sky and hand it over to them. I mean, why work? I end up supporting everyone else except my family!

... I have that money tree in my yard for all the special interests, the bailouts, the lobbyists, the politicians, the ________.. you get the idea.
"The annual increase in the tax rate to pay for the project would be about $51 per year for five years for a home with the average assessed value of $214,000. After five years, that increase would drop to about $11 per year for ongoing operation of the center."
I guess the best thing to do is not work, take care of my family with my paycheck, and live off everyone else ... that seems to be the new American way. I wonder how many people I REALLY support with my paycheck now ...

8 years ago the people of the town of Dalton voted in support of a senior center. 800,000.00 was appropriated and apparently never put into any kind of conservative CD, Money Market, Bond, or even a savings account earning 1-3%. Now the funds are down to 770,000.00 8 years later. The council of aging wants to appropriate another 500,000.00 for a center they don't have shovel ready. They are "hoping" not to need all the money. Have we seen any projects not go over budget? Especially ones that have been thought out and bidded?

The town of Dalton and council of aging wants the community to support a debt exclusion of 500K. The State raised sales taxes to make up for a deficit. What are they going to ask the community to support next year when the state cuts funding to our schools and local community? Level funding our current budget will more than likely bumb us against proposition 2-1/2. Are we prepared to cut programs in our schools next year? This is not just about 51 dollars a year. The town of dalton shouldn't be asking the tax payers for a blank check.

Pittsfield is 3 miles down the road and they have a very nice active functioning senior center. Dalton is a town of approximately 7000 resdients. We have very little industry to support our tax base. Dalton is having a hard time supporting its children in programs that we all grew up taking for granted.

I have nothing against a senior center or the seniors of this community. But don't ask me for a blank check for an idea that has not been thought out and is not ready. Take that money that is burning your pockets and put it in a CD while you figure it out.

Ron Sanders wrote:

8 years ago the people of the town of Dalton voted in support of a senior center. 800,000.00 was appropriated and apparently never put into any kind of conservative CD, Money Market, Bond, or even a savings account earning 1-3%. Now the funds are down to 770,000.00 8 years later. The council of aging wants to appropriate another 500,000.00 for a center they don't have shovel ready. They are "hoping" not to need all the money. Have we seen any projects not go over budget? Especially ones that have been thought out and bidded?
The town of Dalton and council of aging wants the community to support a debt exclusion of 500K. The State raised sales taxes to make up for a deficit. What are they going to ask the community to support next year when the state cuts funding to our schools and local community? Level funding our current budget will more than likely bumb us against proposition 2-1/2. Are we prepared to cut programs in our schools next year? This is not just about 51 dollars a year. The town of dalton shouldn't be asking the tax payers for a blank check.
Pittsfield is 3 miles down the road and they have a very nice active functioning senior center. Dalton is a town of approximately 7000 resdients. We have very little industry to support our tax base. Dalton is having a hard time supporting its children in programs that we all grew up taking for granted.
I have nothing against a senior center or the seniors of this community. But don't ask me for a blank check for an idea that has not been thought out and is not ready. Take that money that is burning your pockets and put it in a CD while you figure it out.

Amen !!!!!!!!!!

Ron Sanders wrote:

8 years ago the people of the town of Dalton voted in support of a senior center. 800,000.00 was appropriated and apparently never put into any kind of conservative CD, Money Market, Bond, or even a savings account earning 1-3%. Now the funds are down to 770,000.00 8 years later. The council of aging wants to appropriate another 500,000.00 for a center they don't have shovel ready. They are "hoping" not to need all the money. Have we seen any projects not go over budget? Especially ones that have been thought out and bidded?
The town of Dalton and council of aging wants the community to support a debt exclusion of 500K. The State raised sales taxes to make up for a deficit. What are they going to ask the community to support next year when the state cuts funding to our schools and local community? Level funding our current budget will more than likely bumb us against proposition 2-1/2. Are we prepared to cut programs in our schools next year? This is not just about 51 dollars a year. The town of dalton shouldn't be asking the tax payers for a blank check.
Pittsfield is 3 miles down the road and they have a very nice active functioning senior center. Dalton is a town of approximately 7000 resdients. We have very little industry to support our tax base. Dalton is having a hard time supporting its children in programs that we all grew up taking for granted.
I have nothing against a senior center or the seniors of this community. But don't ask me for a blank check for an idea that has not been thought out and is not ready. Take that money that is burning your pockets and put it in a CD while you figure it out.

Amen.