Republicans ‘destroying’ Belknap County… (and themselves, in the process)
Fans of the various Superman incarnations might recall the minor character, Bizarro, failed clone of Superman. After being hit by a meteor, Bizarro’s “powers” were the reverse of Superman’s. Leaving Earth, the evil clone moved to a world known as “Htrae” with “Bizarro-Lois,” creating “Bizarro World.” According to the Wikipedia
In the Bizarro world, a cube-shaped planet known as ‘Htrae’ (Earth spelled backward), society is ruled by the Bizarro Code, which states that it is a crime to do anything well or to make anything perfect or beautiful. In one episode, for example, a salesman is doing a brisk trade selling ‘Bizarro bonds. Guaranteed to lose money for you.’
Simply put- it is a world where up is down and in is out and good is bad. Come with me as I pay a visit to “Bizarro World…”
Writing in a post at our local blog, GilfordGrok, I noted that here in the Granite State, it is the job of the County Convention– comprised of the county’s delegation of NH house representatives– to review and approve the county budget that is proposed to them by the members of the County Commission. The Convention has much the same power and function as a municipal budget committee, with one difference: Unlike a municipal budget committee’s decisions, which are subjected to one final layer of checks and balances– the voters, who get the last word, the Convention’s vote is the ultimate and final authority. As our elected representatives, the Convention members form a purely republican (small “r”) form of government, in that we completely rely on them to act on our behalf. They are the eyes and ears of the taxpayers of the county. Let me repeat what I wrote last week at GilfordGrok: “Based upon my recent observations, they have failed us miserably.” After what I witnessed this past Tuesday night, I stand pat by that observation.
It is no secret that fiscal matters at all levels of government are facing extra scrutiny lately. With a slowing economy, and rising costs of energy and other necessary items of life, taxpayers are getting pinched, and are looking for relief wherever possible. In Laconia, the citizens have enacted a tax cap, vowing to live within their means. The practical result is that the city is now choosing how it spends its resources carefully, in some cases going without—much like any average family. Dittoes for neighboring Gilford, where the Selectmen, the School Board, and the Budget Committee have all worked to lighten the load on the taxpayers. Not so for the County. Over there, it’s “taxpayers be damned, business as usual.”
During the start of Tuesday’s hearing of the county budget, it was acknowledged that “certain events” caused the Convention to allow the public the chance to provide input and comment. Without going into the details as to why there even was this opportunity for the public, we all know that there has been considerable interest since the news broke regarding the hit about to be felt by the county’s hapless taxpayers. When the word spread, there was no doubt as to the concern felt by a great number of people. In fact, it was so great, that the entire Laconia City Council attended Tuesday’s public hearing, along with Gilford Selectman Connie Grant and three members of that town’s Municipal Budget Committee.
In normal circumstances, politicians and bureaucrats facing such consternation would at least pay some lip service to those applying pressure. Not so in the Bizarro World that is Belknap County. Despite pleas from taxpayers and officials calling attention to fiscal belt-tightening in their own towns and school systems, the Bizarro characters that are the county’s “leaders” and the head administrator would hear none of it. Instead of accepting the input with genuine interest and courtesy, they insulted and sniped at members of the public that dared speak their concerns.
At the meeting’s outset, one of the Convention members, Democrat Jane Wood asked whether they might revisit areas of the budget in order to consider some possible cuts. The chair of the Convention, Republican Steve Nedeau replied, “We won’t go down that slope.” Following that, the Republicans blamed the fiscal woes facing the County on the Democrats in Concord, claiming it is they who are depriving the County of needed funds. Republican County Commissioner Daigneault followed this by profoundly noting, “The problem with the budget is not spending. We just don’t have the revenue to support our expenses.” Huh?
Republican faux-conservative Fran Wendleboe then piped up and added, “The Democrats laid this burden on the counties during a middle of the night deal. Our hands are tied.” They are? What about trimming some spending? Oh no—not in Bizarro Belknap County. Nope. The only fix is to take more from the taxpayers.
At the end of the meeting, Representative Wood (Democrat) once again tried to cut something from the budget. Again the Republicans beat back this attempt at providing the taxpayers relief. Such is the lay of the land in Bizarro Belknap County: Democrats propose trimming budgets and Republicans thwart them. This follows the same pattern that has led me and a former Laconia mayor to a Supreme Court Right-to-Know lawsuit: The Republicans want closed-door meetings, and the Democrats disagree. Up is down. In is out. Black is white. I don’t know what to think anymore…
[Does anybody believe any of this helps Republicans regain majority status here in NH? I don’t. What it shows is that we need a new batch of Republicans– BADLY!]
