CapeCodToday Blog Chowder

When I read this in the paper today, I found it ironic that this plan is being proposed at the same time that the Governor is again cutting local aid for eduction. As has been reported; he just cut $700,000 for school district transportation for DY claiming that we need to make the hard decisions?

I'm tired of believing we have the power to change things because in the end, the apathetic lemmings will vote the same self-serving lack of represantive politicians in again and again.

I support term limits because it encourages more people to run for office. Example, when Ted Kennedy held the senate seat, how often did anyone run against him? Not often. That's because many of the people who maybe would think about running would not run against Ted because of his political backing and the amount of money it would take just to try to challenge him. Now, with the seat open we have four democrats and at least one republican running. It's good for the citizens to get a chance to listen to varying ideas from different candidates. It opens up the process to new people. If we had term limits at the State level, I would think it would do the same thing - open the door for many to throw their hat in the ring, who maybe don't do so now because of the stranglehold some incumbents have. How many people challenge Rob O'Leary or Therese Murray, etc. That's why you get what we have now in Beacon Hill.

Please note that this is not a sarcastic question in any way. I haven't exactly made up my mind about the wind farm so I am really just seeking relative information.

How is your home uninhabitable?

Drove by there the other day and there was one state trooper on one side of the bridge and another state trooper on the other side. Both were sitting in their cars reading. The traffic needs to be managed with flagmen. Letting cars constantly merge in a free-for-all is a big part of the problem.

I voted for President Obama and am now extremely disappointed and I know many others who are as well. The bottom line, regardless of your party affiliation, is that the President has bankrupted this country by giving billions to very wealthy corporate america in the now infamous bailout program and rebates to wealthy individuals (ie cash for clunkers, first time home buyer program). As the CEOs continue to make millions upon millions from our money, our country is adding more than one trillion dollars a year to the debt with no end in sight. Do you see major tax increases in our future?

Reform state government promise by the Patrick-Murray election campaign. Ahhh, in the words of Yogi Berra; it's deja vu all over again.

My issue is that the ACoE is not doing anything to manage the traffic. They just closed the lanes and left it a free-for-all. Can't someone work with the ACoE and devise a traffic management plan that possibly closes some merge lanes and/or with flagmen working the merge lanes to have the traffic flow more smoothly? You can't just close lanes and let everyone have at it.

My issue is that the ACoE is not doing anything to manage the traffic. They just closed the lanes and left it a free-for-all. Can't someone work with the ACoE and devise a traffic management plan that possibly closes some merge lanes and/or with flagmen working the merge lanes to have the traffic flow more smoothly? You can't just close lanes and let everyone have at it.

Is Racheal suggesting we should keep raising more and more taxes because those lower class citizens who were educated by the lowly public school system should continue to fork over more and more tax money so she, the obvioulsy more deserving citizen, can continue to get her raises? WOW! She obviously hates us working class taxpayters possibly along with puppies, babies and rainbows, especially if they got in the way of God-given right to a raise. Hey way a minute - I didn't get a raise! Where's my raise! Oh yeah that's right; I don't get paid by the taxpayers.

Just a comment Christy. I would not vote for someone just because they are against the wind farm; but I do have a problem with the big connection to the Alliance, a controversial entity who has at least the appearance of being underhanded and who is beholden to a few wealthy powerful people who care very little about the rest of us. I would be concerned about you thus being beholden to those same few wealthy powerful people. It's the exact same thing as the concern one would have with a candidate being connected to a big powerful corporation or lobbyist. I agree with your other politics but this is the one thing holding me back. Will you do what is in the best interest of the state? or will you be dictated to by these few people?

This is just a suggestion and I may be missing something; but when coming onto the Cape, there are two highway lanes eventually merging into one lane and then merging into the lane comeing from the canal road causing a bottleneck. My suggestion would be to close off the first highway merge sooner to get vehicles into one lane and then have a flagman on the canal merge stopping one lane and moving the other for 30 cars or so and then stopping that lane and moving the other. That way you get the cars moving at a better speed and more organized. On the other side leaving the cape you do the same thing; merge the highway traffic sooner and then have a flagman alternating the merge from the exit 1 onramp.

What do you think? Do you think that would help? or am I an idiot?

Circuit City at 22,000 s.f. is a monstrous structure? Maybe our problem is that we have been led to believe that anything over 10,000 s.f. is a monstrosity. Oh and by the way, the comment that the rear of the building sits facing a main road and that it is odd, ugly and wrong; you can thank the Cape Cod Commission for that; they're the ones who required most of the design; no windows in the front for example. That is not the design that was brought to the Commission.

I'm disappointed. I would vote for Christy as governor because I think his talents would benefit the state at the state level; but I am not sure I would vote for him for Senator.

Mary

"All whites who grow up in this country are racists to a greater or lesser degree" - I find that to be an extremely racist and stereotypical comment; to the greater degree. Do you think it is possible that you may be part of the problem?

I have many liberal friends and as I have said, I have voted democrat in the past. But most, if not all, of my liberal friends have stated that this Massachusetts legislature is a perfect example of everything that is wrong with the liberal democrat party and that they too have seen the light. They state that they have learned their lesson for the next election, but I guess that remains to be seen.

Our politicians have shown us again and again how irresponsible they are with our money. Actually, they don't even connect their spending with our pockets. Example: "free dental care". No it's not "free". Do they really think it is "free"? It's "taxpayer-funded dental care". Actually, I am amazed at their deadly combination of ignorance and arrogance with a little lack of intelligience sprinkled in.

Walter is right. I am an independent who has mostly voted democrat in the past (sorry!). How I ever voted for some of these people is beyond me - I'm embarrassed. And now I see that we have created a one party monster that needs to be destroyed.

One last comment - I never thought I would ever consider voting for repealing the income tax, but now, I don't think we have a choice. We need to make a strong statement and show our outrage at the contemptible tax and spend policy and corruption of Beacon Hill.

Senator Murray " . . we have to raise taxes". No you can reform and stop wasteful spending. Why is this so obvious to everyone except our elected officials?

Senator Candaras "this sales tax will fund a lot of very important programs, at least in part for some of our most vulnerable citizens". If you keep blindly following the "Ode to Massachusetts Taxpayers", soon all of us will be your most vulnerable citizens!

Thank you

What I like about Curtis - he says what he means, whether you disagree with him or not, you get a straight answer and he does what he thinks is best for the town, and he listens to people even if they have other views. Dr. Marasco? Does anyone ever know what he means? He just says anything and everything to push his personal agenda, doesn't care much about what happens to the town. Erik Tolley is very impressed with himself, isn't he? Doesn't speak much to the people he thinks are below him. Curtis has my vote.

Any chance you may want to stop spending money and reform the system and maybe save the working class?

I guess the AOD didn't pass by the airport rotary yesterday when they voted to raise the deed tax and continue spending.

FYI - we all didn't move here and we all weren't tourist once. Why does everyone think the native cape codder is extinct?

Where and when is the meeting with the AOD on the County Budget? Maybe you should get the newspapers and blogs to advertise it and ask us all to join in the discussion.

Bill, if you and your fellow Commissioners really wanted to hear from the public, you would all put your email addresses on the County's website. (note the link on your name is broken) Also, the County Administrator and Assistant Administrator should have an available email address as well. The only way to contact our County government as listed on the website is by snail mail or a phone call? That tells me that you and your fellow Commissioners may not really want to hear from us.

First - thank you for wanting to open the dialogue and listen to the public. What I hope are useful suggestions: First, most people, especially the working public are unavailable at 9:00 a.m. or in the afternoon when the AOD meets. An evening meeting would probably work better for most people.

Also, advertising the meeting would help. Other than the County Commissioner's regular agenda, I don't hear about other scheduled meetings especially where the public is allowed to openly speak on issues? Where have you had these? Make sure this open meeting is reported in the various newspapers, blog sites and town halls. A quick and easy way to notify people of a meeting is to have people supply email addresses and have the clerk set up a group email wherein the agenda for the open meeting can be sent to many with a few keyboard strokes.

On another note a less formal workshop setting would probably be more productive. Many people are nervous about public speaking, especially in a formal setting. That is why you get a lot of input from a blog site.
Thank you again.

Bill writes: "But with fewer resources there is a need to rationally allocate public money to serve the greatest need" The proposed FY 2010 County Budget calls for an increase of 4.4% to the Cape Cod Commission along with the creation of an Office of Regionalization (under the Commission)at an added $150,000 for a total budget of $4,244,946 (approximately $1.5 to $2 million paid by the County); while Human Services is reduced 9.6% to $302,349; Children's Cove is reduced 5.5% to $493,271; Fire Training is reduced 13.5% to $342,372 and Economic Development is reduced 9.0% to $139,526.

You think the Cape Cod Commission is the greater need for the use of public money? If that is true, then you are very much out-of-touch with the public.

Is that why the County Commissioners are proposing an increase to the deed excise tax - to have more money to spend? I wish it were that easy for the rest of us. Hey - short on money to buy something you want - just take it from somebody else.

Thanks for the email addresses of our County Commissioners; their website doesn't list them and it only gives an address and phone number when you click on "Contact Us".

Just looked at the proposed Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2010 that is going before the AOD for approval soon. Cape Cod Commission - $4,244,946 (+4.4% increase over last year) plus another $150,000 for the CCC's new Office of Regionalization for a total budge of approximately $4.4 million. The only other item with over a 2% increase it AOD (+4.2%). Almost everything else has a decrease in expenditures, for exmaple: Human Services (-9.6%); Public Safety (-5.0%); and Economic Development (-9.0%). So while the County Commissioners are requesting an increase in deed excise taxes basically everything is being cut or remaining the same except the Cape Cod Commission and the Assembly of Delegates budget.

You can located the proposed budget at www.barnstablecounty.org under County News click on more.

We all need to click on those email addresses and flood our senators and respresentatives with emails. No More Taxes. Stop the Spending - Now. We are out of work, struggling to make ends meet and the reponse from our elected officials is to increase taxes and fees?! Christy is right - We all need to get involved and let our voices be heard. So please, be part of the solution and contact your representatives.

Here are the government email addresses of Cape state senators and representatives.

RobertO'Leary@state.ma.us;
Therese.Murray@state.ma.us; Rep.CleonTurner@Hou.State.MA.US; Rep.DemetriusAtsalis@hou.state.ma.us; Rep.JeffreyPerry@hou.state.ma.us; Rep.MatthewPatrick@hou.state.ma.us; Rep.SarahPeake@Hou.State.MA.US; timothy.madden@state.ma.us

When the price of real estate skyrocketed thereby producing more than expected monies from the deed excise tax, did the County decrease the transfer tax? Did they bank the extra money? No the County just spent more. But when the market goes down, they immediately want to raise the tax. When the market goes back up, will they decrease the tax? No, they will just spend more money.

If, however, the County was fiscally responsible, and knowing the transfer tax is a moveable target, when the real estate values skyrocketed, they would have put aside the extra dollars to dip into when the market fell, thereby averaging out the high and the low. But I guess it is just too easy to spend and then ask for the increase. Asking our County government to be fiscally responsible probably is too much to ask.

Let's hope the AOD stands up and does the right thing and denies the increase - we just can't keep raising taxes to give more money to a fiscally irresponsible government body.

The Commission doens't care about wasting taxpayer money - they just go to the County Commissioners and the Assembly of Delegates and get another $150,000 to create yet another office (the Office of Regionalization). And there is no doubt in my mind that they don't get the irony - they think way too much of themselves.

I agree that we could and we should regionalize the school system; however, to do it correctly, we would need to regionalize the tax base. For example, the tax would be a county tax on real estate thereby taking it out of the town's tax. This county tax would be to pay just for the schools leaving the town real estate tax for the running of the town. This would separate the school system from town services such as fire and police, etc. Also, every town would then be supporting the school system at the same rate; it wouldn't depend on how many school-age children are in each town. We can't have the situation that is happening in DY right now where Yarmouth pays a lot more because they have more school-age children; we need to do it truly as one community. It's the only way it will work. We can't have Chatham claiming that they shouldn't pay as much because they are primarily retired second home owners. That's when we get into problems. We all benefit from a good school system and we ALL have to support it.

I agree with Buzz. If it's easier to cut budgets, why don't we cut? Why do we go straight to raising taxes? I say let's get out the scissors!

I agree totally with this article. There is a complete disconnect between the powers that be and the local young working-class. If they cared about the exodus of our younger generation, they would have outreach programs to get to the heart of the problem. But instead, we get more of the same rhetoric.

Many of my nieces and nephews have left for the same reasons as stated in this article. When I asked my nephew why he was not returning to the Cape after graduating college, he replied, "why would I come back?" There are no opertunities, most of my family and friends have already left, and why would I want to live in a retirement community where I am obviously not wanted. I had to agree with him.

In fact, one of our County Commissioners often states, "we have to remember why we all moved here." Apparently, the locals have become so inconsequential that they don't even warrant a mention of existence. Unfortunately, this Commissioner may soon be right; as the local younger generation is heading down the path of near extinction. But, sadly not many care.