My packet for this week includes a citizen's petition asking that the funding for the Youth Advocate's position be put on the Town Meeting warrant. I will scan and publish the petition when I have the chance. Massachusetts General Law (MGL Ch39, sec 10)requires the Select Board to place on the Town meeting warrant any written petition that comes above the signatures of ten registered voters of the town. So it is written, so it shall be done
The problem is of course that there is no extra money floating around to fund this position. That means ...
... it has to be taken from somewhere else. The question is where? The petition mentions the tax levy and also includes the Stabilization Fund as a source of funding. That inclusion is probably not a wise move since a 2/3 majority vote is required for withdrawal from the Stabilization Fund.
Without a recurring source of revenue to fund the Youth Advocate, the same issue is likely to come up again next year and so on.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Citizens petition for Youth Advocate
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16 comments:
I don't think the STAB Fund should be raided for salaries, no matter whose they are.
This is ridiculous. The youth advocate is a redundant position and there is no money for it. We already pay 600k for social workers, shrinks etc. This is not a mandated position.
Have they forgotten the crossing guards or are they going to be asking town meeting to fund that too? I say lets give them the money for crossing guards if they give up the youth advocate. How's that for deal.
Hey Michael who is "they" or "them"?
I say keep the position at $35k per year but get rid of Kevin Lee. He is nothing but a trouble maker.
I say keep Kevin Lee and ask you to move to another Town anon 7:46 as you have no idea what you are talking about.
Yes 7:46 you are the trouble maker!
I find it quite interesting that, while it is obviously human nature to fight for what you want or need and it would be unusual if you didn't, at some point, reality must set in. His position was shaky a few years ago, unless I'm mistaken, and now it is not financially feasible to keep it. He has known this for quite some time now, or, at least should have surmised it. Most people in any walk of life can see the writing on the wall. A reasonable person in his position would have been out there networking, sending out resumes, and actively hunting for a new job. Perhaps he has done that. If not, then there is no one to blame but himself.
Now we will all be subjected to letters to the editor, postings, and passionate pleadings on the floor of Town Meeting, not to mention what must be on the Town's website, if it is still posted there, to retain his position, much like all that occurred after Michael Gagne's contract was not renewed. (Mr. Lee himself was instrumental in voicing his opinion of the supposed "shabby" treatment of Mr. Gagane.)
We will no doubt be bullied, called names, and made to feel "guilty" for eliminating his position, again reminiscent of the resultant Gagne fiasco when some people did not "approve" of the SB's decision, and the override debacles.
For all those who champion Mr. Lee's cause, why don't you help him find another job? "That's what friends are for."
Better yet why don't all the people who want to retain Mr. Lee pitch in and pay for his salary. The position began privately funded and if it so crucial, then I'm sure they will gladly open their wallets to ssave Mr. Lee.
Yes, only in Dartmouth can the person who teaches kids about internet safety post naked kids, link it to the town website, and have those who question his judgement get called sickos. This guy has got to go!!!!
Enough already, Kevin Lee must go. Know one should post pictures of a nude child for everyone to see.
What was he thinking ?? or was he pocking at stick at the BOS? No money = no funding.
The STAB Fund would set a dangerous precedent, and everyone would be calling for his or her job to be "saved" with funding from it, as well.
I think we need to take care of ALL the school children first, if we are to use our tax money.
I have often wondered how things got so bad in Dartmouth with high salaries and very generous benefits. Well now I know. The whole country is in fiscal crisis and some Dartmouth residents still want to continue spending. It's no wonder they gave away the farm when times were good.
To anon 7:33PM, are you kidding?
What do you think the Federal Gov. is doing right now? Spending spending, spending and oh I forgot spending! You people are in denial.
Hopefully town meeting sent a message during the recall vote. They supported the decision of the select board on Gagne. With any luck at all, they will support this decision too. The last thing we need as a community is to have to continue dealing with Kevin Lee's antics.
I am not in denial. Just because the federal government is spending, does that mean Dartmouth should too? You know the old saying. If your friend was going to jump off a bridge, would you jump too?
Wow, this blog is like the anti-town, anti youth, anti government blog-oh wait, it's TRIMBLE's bitching post! What a bunch of crappy individuals you sound like. Bill, it surprises me that you have a blog like this as a an elected official. Just what do you stand for/believe in?
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