The Dude
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On the announcement It's Time to Level the Playing Field...Vote Yes!
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On the Blog Post LETTER TO THE EDITOR: What Would It Take to Merge Our School Districts?
The Dude
11:39 am on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
ReplyHow does one find out how the $17,340 per LS Student is spent?
I think knowing how that money is allocated would go a long way toward each individual deciding whether that number is too big or too small.
If all the extra fees that each student incurs for athletics, parking, buses etc were included, how much would that number grow for the average student?
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On the article FINCOM Delivers 'Sobering News' Regarding Lincoln-Sudbury
The Dude
11:23 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Replypmotw, I respect your posts, but would ask you to consider the following. A "rainy day fund" seems to me a reasonable source of funds in event of a few extra students one year or a winter when the plowing budget does not suffice as examples. It allows the town some flexibility for extraordinary events without having to ask for an override.
Having said that, it should be a modest amount (I believe Wayland residents just got a dramatic refund because their rainy day fund had gotten extremely large.) -
On the article FINCOM Delivers 'Sobering News' Regarding Lincoln-Sudbury
The Dude
9:08 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
ReplyI am hoping someone can help me understand more about two things referenced in this article. Firstly, am I understanding that Sudbury will be on the hook for a $500,000 INCREASE in payments to Minuteman? In reading that, I assume that means Sudbury is already paying a certain amount to the school. How many Sudbury students go to this school? I would love to know how much funding is necessary per student attending Minuteman because that sized increase seems awfully exhorbitant.
Secondly, I just do not understand the need for overrides for additional students that are coming through the school system. If there is a need for additional funds, it stands to reason that those funds would be returned to the taxpayers when there is a decrease in students.
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On the article How Much of the Snow Removal Budget is Left in Sudbury?
The Dude
9:45 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
ReplyLet me start with accolades for the town/DPW for a fantastic job clearing the snow during the last storm.
Having said that...how is it possilbe that one single storm used the entire snow removal budget? There are two possible issues:
1) There is not enough money in the snow removal budget
2) They are not using their budgeted funds efficientlyPlease explain how an entire winter snow removal budget can be used for one storm. It defies logic for a New England town.
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On the article Carpenter: FY14 No Override Budget Doesn't Work
The Dude
10:03 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
ReplyCould there be a pattern here? Override results in higher taxes, Sudbury citizens without kids in the school system move out, new residents move in with more kids in the school system, override necessary for additional new students.
Rinse and Repeat.
Or, perhaps we as a town can come up with a way to manage our costs. I continue to propose a focus on "core" curriculum. If students wish to explore the vast elective options at LS then let them pay a fee just as they do for athletics. I'm not against the opportunity to take these electives, I only question whether the taxpayers need to support courses such as French Cinema.
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On the article Save Energy, Money By Insulating Your Home
The Dude
12:35 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
ReplyThe number one idea I had for saving money on my heating bill was to switch to natural gas. Unfortunately in Sudbury there is a monopoly supplier (National Grid) who told me it would cost me more than $30,000 for the privilege of becoming their customer.
Has anyone else had this problem or have any suggestions? I desperately want to make the switch, but cannot justify that type of expense to pull the line which is located only 3 houses down the street!
I have reached out to National Grid many times, but have had absolutely no luck appealing to them to even split the cost with me.
If anyone had any suggestions or ideas, I'd be grateful! Thank you -
On the article Police: Snowy Roads Cause School Buses to Get Stuck
The Dude
10:13 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
ReplyI am curious why the Highway Department had trouble getting out today. This storm was not a suprise event.
Is there a protocol for when the plows should have the main roads towards the schools plowed and safe for travel? Seems to me this should be well before the opening of the schools. -
On the Blog Post The 'fiscal cliff': The problem is lack of revenue, not too much spending
The Dude
8:18 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012
ReplyI asked Mr. Chauls to lead by example and responds my calling my comment irrelevant. Why can't both sides come together....because of comments and ignorance like that.
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On the Blog Post The 'fiscal cliff': The problem is lack of revenue, not too much spending
The Dude
3:29 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
ReplyMr. Chauls, I get very frustrated when people attempt to decide tax rates that affect me and my family. Respectfully, I have a suggestion for you and all those who subscribe to raising revenue as opposed to cutting spending. Voluntarily increase the amount of taxes you pay. Do this for a year on the local, state, and federal level and come back and write about how it affected your life. Presumably this extra revenue that you can voluntarily contribute should begin to solve many of the problems you speak of in your article and actually go a long way towards proving or disproving your point. People seem all too willing to vote and argue for raising everyone's tax rates, but I have yet to witness anyone lead by example, Warren Buffett included.
The Dude
12:44 pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
I agree with the above two individuals. I can't speak for anyone else, but I would be happy to consider future expenditures if there was just a little integrity in the process.
CPA funds used for a softball field?
Turf fields being replaced inside of 10 years old after the selling feature of these very expensive fields was their lack of maintenance and long life?
If there was some transparency in the process instead of countless requests for more money, I would be willing to entertain some of these ideas. Until then, I will vote no.