As we face uncertain economic times here in New Hampshire, there is one politician that stands head and shoulders above all others: Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta. Unlike many of his fellow elected Republicans who have apparently hunkered down, not wishing to make too many "waves" headed into an election year, Guinta is providing the type of leadership that sets him apart from the rest. Oh sure, many Republicans pay lip service to the old GOP mantra of smaller government, less taxes, and less regulation, but those who actually work to turn such notions into reality are few and far between.
Most Granite Staters that pay attention to the news know that Mayor Guinta and his budget team are working to reduce spending in an effort to keep property taxes in check, taking into account the economy and the taxpayers ability to pay. Let me say that again: Mayor Guinta is seeking to keep taxes from increasing by, (gasp!)
REDUCING SPENDING!!!!
When was the last time you heard a politician say that, and actually MEAN IT? Regular readers know that here in Belknap County, it is REPUBLICANS that run the show lock, stock, and barrel. Unlike Guinta, the local GOP, led by phoney conservatives like Convention member Representative Fran Wedleboe and Commission Chair Phil "Buddy" Daigneault, claims that, when it comes to county finance, “The problem with the budget is not spending. We just don’t have the revenue to support our expenses.” And of course their solution is to simply raise our taxes. These clowns could do well to look to Mayor Guinta for some guidance and a refresher on what it means to be a Republican.
Oh sure, it’s not always easy. The big spenders do not give up without a fight. The attacks and threats that assuredly follow any cutback proposal, whether large or small, are not for the faint of heart. Case in point is the reaction of the various characters within Manchester’s public school system. For several weeks we’ve been hearing the whining and moaning as the Mayor rolls out the proposed spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. And naturally, the overarching theme is one of gloom and doom… according to the Chicken Littles of the public school system,
THE SKY IS ABOUT TO FALL!
Color me unsurprised. Today’s New Hampshire Sunday News has the latest prediction of catastrophe in what will undoubtedly a refrain we’ll hear again and again:
Athletics director Dave Gosselin says the city will have to suspend school interscholastic sports programs, as well as other extracurricular activities, if money isn’t added to the proposed $140 million budget.
[snip]
"Right now, under the mayor’s budget, if it goes through, all extracurricular activities are over," Gosselin said. "There’s no more (high school) sports in Manchester . . . Anything extracurricular is gone.
"This is the worst I’ve seen it in 31 years," Gosselin added of the district’s financial situation. "I’ve never seen it like this. I’m very concerned."
Of course he is. And what better way to cause an uproar in defense of continued spending than to threaten taxpayers with the loss of such popular items like sports. This is nothing new. Back in the early nineties, Laconia’s Straight Arrows, running on a program of fiscal austerity during tough economic times, got elected and level-funded that city’s budget. The response by the school board? Naturally, they didn’t reign in pay increases and find innovative ways to tighten their belts. Oh no– they would make those voters pay! They promptly eliminated sports and music, choosing to take it out on the kids. No, what is happening in Manchester currently has been seen before. Luckily, Mayor Guinta is standing firm. He knows what the spenders are all about and the tactics they use.
Guinta disagreed that his proposed budget will force programs to fold.
"This is something, in terms of the dollars, (the AD and school board) knew was coming," Guinta said of the proposed budget cuts. "I think they need to do a better job of short- and long-term planning rather than what I think they’re trying to do, which is scare people."
Amen! The reality for Manchester is similar to what we are seeing here in Belknap County. Revenues ARE shrinking…
Guinta said, the school district has 7.3 percent less in revenue, partly the result of declining student enrollment. The city as a whole, he added, has $13 million less in revenue for 2009 than it had in’08.
The difference is that for Mayor Guinta, raising taxes is NOT an option:
Guinta also said school officials have been "well aware" of the district’s reduction in revenues. He said solutions that take those reductions into account are necessary. Raising taxes, he added, is not among those solutions.
The Granite State’s present crop of Republican "leaders" would do well to follow Mayor Guinta’s lead. Imagine if we had had more Republicans advocating such beliefs throughout our varied levels of government during the past decade or so– My guess is that if that had been the case, the GOP wouldn’t be stuck in minority status…