Bristol Selectboard can't outspend our ability to pay the bill

To The Daily Sun,

Does Bristol need a change in management at the Selectboard level? I think it is about time and we have the opportunity to make that change. This is why I am endorsing John Sellers for Selectboard! He would give Bristol a fresh set of eyes. For all too long we have had the same people in control with power to protect the status quo.

John Sellers has the credentials along with his analytical and management background to understand what the budget numbers actually represent. He is proactive on the Budget Committee with investigating and requesting back up information for expenditures, even if this is bothersome to some, it is a normal process to question expenditures and he is entitled to do per RSA-32, its also called doing your job. Having to defend ones expenditures should not become a reason to be upset.

It seems to some Selectboard members that we are not allowed to question why we are not reducing instead of constantly increasing our taxes. Bristol has a limited tax base, our residential areas are being taxed to the max, and our commercial development areas are limited. We need an individual with vision who will work to attract new businesses — businesses that fit our community and add to our tax base. What we don't need is less taxable property and a bigger tax burden to bare. We need an individual to work with all department heads and make sure they are working in Bristol's best interest. Yes, there are projects that need consideration but we also need to keep our finite tax base in mind.

What has Bristol gotten for our tax money? Well let's go over a few things: the downtown was suppose to be the holy grail of Bristol's rebirth, that if we built it they will come! The downtown, looks nice but its still largely empty!, The Mica Building and Mill Stream properties that the Selectboard managed and took off the tax rolls proved to be a real boondoggles. What do we have to show for them? A couple of parks, which we now have to maintain. If not for our voices they would have taken the boat property off the tax rolls also. We have limited infrastructure to work with in Bristol and we need a Selectboard that will not outspend our ability to pay taxes. The constant of increased taxes has a common tread, the same selectmen have been involved for a number years, now is an appropriate time to change the direction of Bristol with a Selectboard more aware and considerate of its tax paying citizens

Do we need new people on our board? You bet we do, VOTE JOHN SELLERS.

Ernie Richards

Bristol