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Was Misleading

The inaccuracies in a recent newspaper report (Sunday Valley News) regarding Bethel's 2007 town meeting contains errors that concern the Bethel selectboard and should be of concern to Bethel citizens.

The reporter notes that selectboard chair Neal "Fox did not respond to multiple messages left at his home." That is not true. The reporter first called on Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m., before I got home from work. I returned his call between the 9th and 12th, but he was not available.

He called again on February 13th and we had a lengthy discussion. That discussion was never reported.

He had previously spoken to my opponent as he quoted me his opinions, while seeking mine.

First, he asked me my most pressing issue. My response was "increased spending and increased taxes and the need for voters to have an opportunity to prioritize the spending issues." Highways, ambulance service, town hall restoration, employee health insurance costs, amortization of the $400,000. town share of the new bridge and the list goes on.

The concern I hear most from Bethel residents involves increased property taxes. Keeping spending under control, particularly in view of the soon to be completed re-appraisal, is the number one item by a 3 to 1 margin. Am I hearing from the wrong people?

My response to the question about the absence of a road upgrade plan was that there was a plan in place 10 years ago, but it was abandoned when voters felt it was too expensive. It was resurrected and revised last year and is in place now.

The comment that the board should be more pro-active sounds good, but I'd like to hear from previous selectboard members who needed to go looking for new problems to work on. There is always an abundance of issues to deal with, without looking for new problems to solve.

Please be sure to attend town meeting on March 6th.

Neal Fox, Chair

Bethel Selectboard