Special Edition
Democrats stand fast but “nuclear bomb” budget cuts are coming
In a surprise move, today the six Republicans who make up the majority on our town finance board dropped an unprecedented list of draconian cuts to our town’s proposed budget—cuts that would devastate everyone from seniors to school children, and ice skaters to homeowners in flood prone areas.
It’s a shameful, cruel, unprofessional act.
First Selectman Fred Camillo put the proposed town budget together because he knew it reflects what we need to protect and preserve our quality of life.
- The bipartisan school board overwhelmingly approved, in a 7-1 vote, a common sense schools plan that closely looked at every dollar.
- In the last few weeks residents from across Greenwich came out in support of it.
Everyone, it seems, wants this budget except the six Republicans on the Board of Estimate and Taxation who today are vowing to “DOGE to death” our town. Now, only the BET Democrats are standing up for the rest of us. They refused to go along with this last-minute voting charade until we all could better understand what these cuts will mean. Among the $17 million in BET Republican cuts:
A $4 million cut from Greenwich public schools. Our Board of Education representatives say to preserve core academics, they may be forced to consider:
- Reducing PE and sports programming
- Reducing music and arts
- Reducing teaching staff
- Reviewing academic programs
Across-the-board cuts are aimed at town services, including traffic and transportation infrastructure, public health, police and fire safety, parks and rec, funds to plan a new ice rink, environmental initiatives, and flooding mitigation. An imposed reduction in staff at the town’s Nathaniel Witherell skilled nursing facility would drop its rating to a single star.
As it stands, these six Republicans, who were elected with the slimmest of margins, have the votes to ram these cuts through. They’ve refused to negotiate. It’s time for you, our neighbors and friends in Greenwich, to make your voices heard. Democrats are holding the line, but on Thursday when the Board of Estimate and Taxation meets again, there’s nothing stopping the cuts except you.
What can you do?
Speak up. Get the word out to friends and neighbors. Continue to write to the BET asking for a fully funded school budget. Show up at the rescheduled decision day at Town Hall this Thursday April 3rd at 8:00 a.m. wearing red. Also call the First Selectman’s office at 203-622-7710 and leave a message asking him to stand up and stop these cuts.
| April 1, 2025 |
| Paid for by the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee. |
| Greenwich Democratic Town Committee P.O. Box 126 Greenwich, CT 06836 |