Reprinted from The Trumbull Times © Copyright 2009
May 14, 2009

To the Editor:

Trumbull's town budget should be the most important vote to be considered by the town's elected officials. Yet this year, the vote by the Democratic-controlled Trumbull Town Council took exactly 48 minutes. Congratulations were given among each Democratic member for passing the town's 600 line, $141 million budget at almost $3 million a minute.

I would suggest that each Democratic member of Town Council be rewarded with a rubber stamp from the First Selectman. The average cumulative tax increase for Trumbull voters for the previous 7 years of the Baldwin administration is over 50%, yet, very few questions were asked and no serious doubts were raised relative to this election year budget proposal.

Acquiescence and complacency seemed adequate for the Democrats who, once again, cowered to the tax and spend mantra that has pervaded the administration of First Selectman Baldwin.

A very disturbing display of partisan politics was the mantra of the evening at the September 7, 2006 Trumbull Town Council meeting. It was unfortunate to watch elected representatives from the Democratic Party subjugate themselves to the demands of First Selectman Ray Baldwin. In a display of total Svengali-like control, no Democrat member of council could express an independent thought in one of the most important matters for Trumbull's future - the Plan of Conservation and Development.

This year, once again, Trumbull's Democrats sat still, watched and said "yes" to every budget item, with few questions. Another tax increase will be the result for Trumbull taxpayers, another year with the Democrats carrying the water for their self-appointed quarterback, the First Selectman. Yes I will use the phrase I originated previously, "Trumbull voters deserve better."

Jack Testani, chairman
Trumbull Republicans