Enough is Enough

As thirty–seven year residents of Monroe, we have seen a lot. We have seen First Selectman elected and defeated, members of various boards and commissions appointed and resign.  Never in our time as residents of the Town, active community volunteers and most importantly taxpayers  have we seen such a blatant disregard for the taxpayers’ money than how the First Selectman handles the Town’s legal budget.

These are the facts. In 2010 the legal budget for the Town was $94,400; the First Selectman spent $115,489.  In 2011 the legal budget was $97,000; the First Selectman spent $189,832.  In 2012, the legal budget was $97,000; the First Selectman spent $666,537.  In 2013, the legal budget was $130,000; the First Selectman spent $441,143.  And now, in fiscal year 2014, the legal budget is $250,000.  How much over will we be at this year’s end?  $500,000? $750,000?  When does it end?

It is not only that the First Selectman is disregarding the budget the taxpayers approved, but he is harming other town departments.  The Department of Public Works budget request states in part, “As a result of deficits in other departments resulting from excessive legal fees, DPW had its accounts frozen in FY 2011-2012 and need to defer work until the 2013 budget.”  And now we are bonding for school roofs, roads and other projects that could have been paid for out of the $1,000,000 the First Selectman has spent in legal fee overages that were not budgeted for over the past three years.  It is truly disgraceful and an affront to the citizens of this Town.

The First Selectman continually states that the cases he is fighting now were brought upon the Town under previous administrations.  This is false.  Few of the continuing cases were brought against the Town under former First Selectmans’ terms.    Under this First Selectman’s term we have seen an increase in lawsuits against the Town with the added problem that the First Selectman chooses to hire outside counsel at the high end of the billing spectrum.  Why?  When asked why the First Selectman decided to hire outside counsel that charges upwards of $350 - $400/hour and why he is being flagrantly malicious with taxpayers money what is his answer?  Silence.  Past First Selectman have monitored the legal  fees on a weekly or bi-monthly basis.  First Selectman Vavrek, we believe does not have the knowledge or inclination to make the proper assessment of the pending cases and the legal fees being charged.     

We have had enough.  We are voting for Dan Hunsberger on November 5th.   With his legal and crisis management background, he  has the expertise and skill to manage and lead the Town of Monroe.  

Don and Sue Koneff