The Monroe Budget: A Question to Ponder

During a Town Council budget workshop Wednesday night, council members heard about outdated computers, of the town investing money into training good employees only to lose them due to low pay, and of the need for beefed up police security at Monroe's schools.

Alice Deak, a resident of 35 years who serves on the Library Board in town, hopes a number of the requests town department heads are making this year get past the Town Council and Board of Finance and to the voters at referendum time before being cut.

"They need the opportunity to vote," she said. "Some of this stuff should not be voted down by the small committees. The people need a chance to decide on it. I'm willing to pay and I'm a senior citizen and retired."

Among some of the requests Deak has heard about this budget season are a switch to full day kindergarten, additional police officers, I.T. upgrades and higher wages for Edith Wheeler Memorial Library's part-time employees, who have not gotten a raise in the past six years.

"Yes it costs money and yes it hurts, but we have to pay for things that are important for our community," Deak said. "We're being penny wise and pound foolish."

What do you think about this topic? Should more of these budget requests make it to voters at referendum time before being cut? Share your opinion in the Comments.