To the editor,
It seems my Aug. 25 letter regarding my opinion that public officials should be current in their taxes has caused a good deal of conversation on the topic. Unfortunately, as demonstrated by the response letters from Ned Grace and Selectman Peter Betkoski in the Sept. 1 edition, my point wasn’t clear enough. My letter was not an attack on others as suggested and was not intended to be a full discussion on all of the merits and qualifications one should consider when selecting a candidate; that would take a book. I simply wanted to bring to light my concern over taxpayers selecting a candidate for a paid position who hasn’t paid their fair share.
I never disputed Selectman Betkoski’s other contributions to the town and recognize that he has put in numerous hours for the town of Beacon Falls, in a variety of capacities. However, these were all completely voluntary while paying taxes is not. Regardless of one’s memberships, achievements, character or love for their town, we all are required to pay taxes and need to do so in order to provide funding for the town to continue to function.
We can continue to point to the 2008 recession from nine years ago or be distracted by other contributions, but why are the taxpayers of Beacon Falls still paying Betkoski a salary when he hasn’t been paying his share? How many more years need to pass before we call this what it is, poor business management.
Frankly, it concerns me to have someone helping manage our town’s money who hasn’t been able to manage their own and that is why I wrote my original letter. But, at the heart of the issue, it just really bothers me to have public official, with a salary paid for by the taxpayers, that isn’t paying their own taxes.
It’s time we have leaders who lead by example. If we all just volunteered our time in lieu of paying our taxes, we’d have no way of paying for the things the town needs or Betkoski’s salary. Fittingly, I’d like to remind the people of Beacon Falls that I did propose a solution, rather than just make an “attack” as was suggested by Grace and Betkoski. My original letter offered three options, and I would like to restate one. If Betkoski would like to continue to run and gets elected, he should put all of his salary from the town directly to the taxes owed to the residents of Beacon Falls.
I hope this letter serves as a point of consideration for the voters in Beacon Falls leading up to the November election. It is important that we all consider the candidates and have sound reasons for making our choices. While I recognize the basis for everyone’s decision will vary, I urge you to at least consider whether it is important to you that your elected officials are current with their taxes or whether you’re simply OK with paid public officials that have done some nice things over the years.
Shawn Styfco
Beacon Falls
