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06 June 2012
Did we not see this coming when cautions were sounded about a potential train wreck coming if we did not pay attention to our spending mentality? All you activists and concerned citizens who came out to protest the cuts to schools were great. However these cuts were a self-inflicted wound starting in 2005.
Where were you when the Domino Plan under protest was decided on – the most expensive plan instead of the Flex Plan? Where were you when past boards decided to build one of the most expensive schools in Virginia under protest? Where were you when past boards decided to rush out to get bonds at a higher rate than necessary costing an additional $18 million in interest for taxpayers? Where were you when the Joint Water Authority was proposed and two petitions opposing this expensive venture with no financial gain for Fluvanna costing taxpayers $25 to $30 million were rejected also?
Past boards rushed to get approval. These decisions affected our huge debt which we now have. Where were you when the redistricting process was underway and the results divided our county even more? Had you activists and concerned citizens been involved this whole time demanding accountability and fiscal restraint, perhaps the financial picture might be different. The reality is nothing will be the same; things will get worse before they get better. The federal government and state government will continue to pass unfunded mandates to localities for us to fund. The next two years will have the same funding crisis with the sustainable budget .We will have to do more with less. This has to be shared sacrifice, shared pain, not only falling on taxpayers or schools. We need to find more cuts and spend less. You can decide to be part of the solution or continue to be part of the problem. We need to find common ground and compromise. You decide!
