Choose assembly member wisely

To the editor:

$50 a barrel oil, $4 billion state budget deficit, play time is over folks!!!

It is painfully obvious that we must cut spending, as well as find new income sources. Read my lips “new taxes”.

We can expect the state to reduce revenue sharing, education payments, grants, and many other sources of money that flow to our cities and boroughs. We residents will have to cover these losses by cutting our costs and raising local taxes. Yes, raising local taxes!!!

I am a senior citizen and presently enjoy a property tax exemption. I expect that exemption to be greatly reduced or possibly even go away. Similar programs and community grants will need to be heavily curtailed and in some cases eliminated.

Our borough must now cut costs as never before. It must budget sensibly to provide the essential services our residents require. The borough must also provide for the loss from state revenue sharing and education.

Our assembly must be very fiscally prudent and highly conservative. We, the electorate, must dedicate ourselves to holding the present assembly fiscally responsible and electing new assemblymen that will hold the line.

We now have an open seat on the assembly due to the resignation of Jim Colver. The assembly will meet on January 29 to select an applicant to replace Mr. Colver. They are also free to extend the application date and ask for more applicants if they choose to do so.

Who the assembly chooses will be a reflection of their commitment to control spending in order to minimize additional taxes. The Colver replacement must have a proven record of financial budgeting and cost control for $100 million-plus organizations. Our borough and school district budget exceeds $200 million annually. It is this financial horizon that we are to address. Let us settle on someone who is educated, trained and experienced at managing such large fiscal responsibilities.

Choosing the wrong person could have long-lasting negative effects to the economic health of our community.

Aaron Downing

Palmer