From Michael Boyce
Third Ward Alderman, Monroe
The current Mayor recently removed me as the chairman of the Finance & Taxation Committee, because, he said, I "was struggling" in my role as chairman. I have to admit, he's right, I struggle with:
Any effort to raise property taxes or increasing spending during a period of economic uncertainty;
The current unwillingness of some city officials to consider a property tax cut;
Using the city's "piggy bank", the Fund Balance, to reach a balanced budget;
Not considering any changes in staffing and personnel or the city's health and retirement plans to keep the budget in check;
Disregarding city ordinances in favor of "adopted custom", otherwise known as "politics as usual".
Most of all I struggle with some elected officials who seemingly disregard their own laws in favor in what they term "adopted custom", otherwise known as "politics as usual."
I was removed as chairman, after I repeatedly asked that Section 2-14-2 of Chapter 14 of the city ordinances be followed. It states: "The meetings of the finance and taxation committee shall be on call of the chair." The Mayor removed me because I'm out of "sync with the way we run the budget process."
Most citizens expect and demand elected officials consider alternatives to the way our local government functions and spends our tax dollars.
The majority of Monroe citizens realize that Monroe is at a turning point. Tough choices must be made. As an elected representative I sincerely believe the community does not want politics as usual. Thinking people at the very least want officials to consider alternatives to the status quo.
As Albert Einstein famously said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
Third Ward Alderman, Monroe
The current Mayor recently removed me as the chairman of the Finance & Taxation Committee, because, he said, I "was struggling" in my role as chairman. I have to admit, he's right, I struggle with:
Any effort to raise property taxes or increasing spending during a period of economic uncertainty;
The current unwillingness of some city officials to consider a property tax cut;
Using the city's "piggy bank", the Fund Balance, to reach a balanced budget;
Not considering any changes in staffing and personnel or the city's health and retirement plans to keep the budget in check;
Disregarding city ordinances in favor of "adopted custom", otherwise known as "politics as usual".
Most of all I struggle with some elected officials who seemingly disregard their own laws in favor in what they term "adopted custom", otherwise known as "politics as usual."
I was removed as chairman, after I repeatedly asked that Section 2-14-2 of Chapter 14 of the city ordinances be followed. It states: "The meetings of the finance and taxation committee shall be on call of the chair." The Mayor removed me because I'm out of "sync with the way we run the budget process."
Most citizens expect and demand elected officials consider alternatives to the way our local government functions and spends our tax dollars.
The majority of Monroe citizens realize that Monroe is at a turning point. Tough choices must be made. As an elected representative I sincerely believe the community does not want politics as usual. Thinking people at the very least want officials to consider alternatives to the status quo.
As Albert Einstein famously said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
