The budget for Fiscal Year 2010 (which begins on July 1, 2009) was Article 18. At the conclusion of Town Manager Robert Whritenour's budget presentation, I asked a couple of questions:
Q) On the slide showing the public service budgets, you said Police was up $115,000, but the slide showed a minus; could you clarify that?
A) It is up $115,000
Q) On the subject of layoffs; How many layoffs have there been, if any, in what departments, and what is the effect on services?
A) There has been one reduction in the number of inspectors due to a the slowdown in the building industry; there is a lack of work.
The questions had come to mind while listening to the presentation, and I didn't give a second thought to asking them. However, after the meeting adjourned for the evening, I was approached by someone who expressed concern about my questions; that I had blind-sided Mr. Whritenour; that I should have asked them privately and not in public.
Some folks seem to think that I have some sort of sinister side to me, and I've been accused of playing politics on several occasions.
In fact, I don't set out to blind-side people; I just ask questions or present information when the opportunity allows. If someone isn't prepared, I can see how they might feel blind sided, but the solution is not for me to keep my mouth shut. It is for them to be prepared.
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