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Three-year override plan deserves our support

When I first heard discussion of a potential override, my first reaction was rather mixed - didn't we just have an override? Can't we just make some careful (and not too painful) spending cuts?

But as I learned more about the three-year override plan endorsed by the town manager, Finance Committee and School Committee, I became convinced that this plan is Amherst's best hope for not only avoiding extremely detrimental cuts to services (the loss of firefighters and police officers, the loss of teachers, closing of War Memorial Pool), but also for developing a long-term plan for financial stability (including allowing time for aggressive lobbying for state programs, hiring an economic development position, and exploring ways of broadening the tax base).

I plan to vote "Yes" on May 1, and I hope others will join me in supporting the override and planning for the long-term financial stability of Amherst.

Catherine Sanderson
Amherst

Source: Letters, The Amherst Bulletin, April 13, 2007