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Following the Great Barrington select board meetings, I feel as though I put in 40 hours a week! It’s not easy following my tax dollars. I have read that many people who serve on a board advocate for people to get involved. That was fine, until I read an article on benefits. Does the word hypocrisy come in to play here? Does that mean I would not run for office if I don’t get benefits? The recent select board meetings sound like kids on the school playground that don’t get their way.
Taxpayers pay the bills. If you run for office, don’t expect me to pay your way. I pay all of my bills, including insurance. As a taxpayer, I should not have to pay your bills or a salary because you chose to sit on a board in my town. Great Barrington, don’t be like Washington and look to be subsidized.
Another item that should raise the Great Barrington taxpayer’s eyebrow is, how did we go from $366,000 to $1 million for this ridiculous Main Street Project? How the select board and Finance Committee ever let this sum of money get spent, I have no idea. To top it off, $400,000 for local road repairs/upkeep went to Main Street. Ninety-nine percent of the roads in Great Barrington are not fit to drive on.
Having been involved in different groups and also a past member of the Great Barrington Finance Committee, I know what goes on. The bottom line is, don’t serve if you’re just there for benefits.
TONY BARBIERI
Great Barrington
