BUDWAY WANTS TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE IN A BAD WAY!
Thursday, Oct 21st 2010 at 1:32 am by Carol Costa
Posted in: Blog, General, Issues, Press Releases
When you went to your mailbox today, you probably received a special message from our current Town Council President seeking your vote to be the next town clerk. Like most of the campaign literature that comes from the GOP, it is sadly full of personal attacks and mistruths. Since the SDTC has historically been the protector of the truth in our town, consider the following:
Mr. Budway claims he will save the town $15,000 a year since he will not accept the town’s health care. Our current town clerk does not accept taxpayer funded health care either! Thus, his promise to save money is simply hollow!
Mr. Budway asserts that he will further save the taxpayers approximately $5000 year claiming he will not accept compensation as the Probate Court clerk. The probate clerk fees are not paid by the taxpayers. They are paid by the executor of a person’s probate estate from estate assets. Yet again, Mr. Budway’s proposal will not save the taxpayer’s of our great town one dime. His “promise” demonstrates a general ignorance of how the probate court operates!
Two years ago, you may recall that it was Mr. Budway who signed an affidavit in support of his then Public Works Director’s effort to buy back pension credit for his ten years of service on the town council at a cost of $183,000 to the town treasury!! Mr. Budway’s efforts almost prevailed until the SDTC exposed him and his raid on the town treasury.
Mr. Budway also claims he will work full time and not have another job. Our current town clerk also works full time as your town clerk! In order to support her family as well as keep current and active her hard- earned pharmacist’s license, she works one day per week after town hall closes!! Come on Bob, this promise doesn’t even pass the laugh test!
Mr. Budway claims that he will establish uniform record keeping and retention policies for all Town Departments – not just those in the Clerk’s Office. In point of fact, all records in the Town Clerk’s Office, including birth, death, probate, and other vital records all must be maintained and retained in accordance with State Law. As for other town departments, the Town Council only has the authority to set such policies! During his tenure, Mr. Budway did nothing to advance his new goal. Why now?
Mr. Budway has been an opponent of open government since he was first elected to the town council. He accused volunteers who were filming the town council meeting for Public Access TV of being political operatives. He voted against Peg Long’s choice for Deputy Town Clerk after she advertised, posted, and interviewed for the position. Clearly political posturing! He stood silent as his hand picked Council Vice President was fined $1500.00 for violating the ethics code for voting with him in suppoprt of his brother- in- laws pension affidavit –The same one that Budway whole heartedly endorsed.
It is sad how badly Mr. Budway would distort Peg Long’s record of dedicated, open, and honest service to her hometown of a lifetime. All voters must ask themselves: Can we trust Mr. Budway to be our town clerk if his is so willing to distort the truth? Shame on you Mr. Budway!!
