Reprinted from The Connecticut Post © Copyright 2009
April 30, 2009

Three cheers for Domenic Monaco's letter ("School costs greater than we thought," Connecticut Post, April 15) voicing his opinion in defying the high cost in spending going on within the town of Trumbull.

What added salt to the wound was seeing First Selectman Raymond Baldwin on public television recently making his usual attempts at justifying the steps the town of Trumbull has taken in reducing spending. Two long minutes of watching this program were all we could tolerate. It was obviously too one-sided and too rehearsed. A more realistic program would have Baldwin sharing a conversation with an angry taxpayer.

Is Trumbull looking for a pat on the back simply because higher-salaried personnel have rejected a wage increase? We think not! Is Trumbull looking for a pat on the back just because town employees can no longer take town vehicles to and from their homes? We think not! These are cost-saving measures that are near laughable at this point.

Due to the serious unemployment rate, I am very thankful for my own part-time job. At this time I would accept a wage cut, not just forego a raise in pay.

Sorry, but this town needs to stop expecting steak on our dinner plates and accept hamburger instead, such as many taxpayers have had to do.

Laura and John J. Schaffer Jr.
Trumbull