Wow, with all that Brandon has to worry about, such as almost $1 million in delinquent taxes, a budget going up for vote for try number five, some people are apparently obsessed with Richard Baker. Mr. Baker’s name was on the recently published list of delinquent taxpayers and is a former selectman and interim town manager.
However, just because he may be or was delinquent in property taxes does not take away his right to hold office in Brandon. Maybe if these people had paid as much attention (and put this much effort) into what was and wasn’t happening for the last few years, Brandon might have better infrastructure and a decent budget that might actually pass before the fifth try.
People, get over the fact that you don’t like Mr. Baker and move on. This type of press is worse, in my opinion, than that of the drugs and the pathetic number of votes it takes to get budgets passed lately in Brandon. I also wonder who Ms. Ammatuna, the chair of the selectboard, is referring to when she says in the Friday, Aug. 15, Rutland Herald, “I don’t agree with it,” Ammatuna said. “The taxpayers don’t agree with it. But there’s legally nothing this board can do.”
I wonder what plans the board has for the monies collected from the delinquent taxes are. Maybe they might restore some of the “rainy day” fund. Maybe they will put money onto much needed infrastructure repair. I can’t say as I haven’t seen anything about any plans. If I were the citizens I would make darn sure to ask at a public meeting and make sure to get the plan on the public record.
I was almost beginning to think the world was coming to an end recently. Devon Fuller and Maria Ammatuna stated they did not like the budget that is being presented voted on Aug. 26. I find myself agreeing with them in principle that the budget presented is not in the best interests of Brandon. That being said, it may be the only thing that will pass at this point.
Brian Fillioe
Proctor