IT'S TIME TO GOVERN...


Well the election is over and I want to congratulate the winners. Because I write this column and submit it the Sunday before printing, the results are still unknown. But I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has placed themselves in the political arena. It is not an easy task to run for office. It is a life changing event for anyone who dedicates up to nine months of the year to seek election. In reality, although there is a winner of the votes, no one placing their name on a ballot, loses.

But now that we are past the campaign, it is time to govern. What does that mean?

That means that campaign talking points must now be turned into action. Promises must be kept. Changes have to be made in many areas of government.

One such area that needs to be a priority of the State leaders we just elected is the funding of education.

For way too long the burden on funding schools has fallen on the backs of home owners, directly through property taxes.

Each candidate running for office agreed that the ECS (education cost sharing) has failed school systems like Enfield. We have not benefited and have not received our fair share.

Because of this inequality you and I have to carry the burden by extremely high property taxes, which is forcing many older residents to choose between paying their taxes and making life better for themselves.

When those we just elected get to Hartford it is my hope that they remember the promises they made to ease the stress on us who own property in Enfield.

Another area that we need to see action on is "unfunded mandates." These are laws or regulations that are imposed on citizens and businesses that have no money to implement them. Simply, they say here are the new rules that you must abide by, now find the money put them to practice.

Once again the only place to find the money is on local home owners.

This creates a fight between local municipalities and the State. It ties the hands of Town Council members and puts them in a place where they have to increase taxes. Many Council meetings are filled with people complaining and chastising members, when in reality they have no option but to apply to the direction sent down from Hartford.

Begin to review unfunded mandates and use common sense when it comes to creating more.

There are many more areas we could address. But let me just encourage the people that just won the election to carry out all of your promises and make life a little better in Enfield.

We put our trust in you...and we wish you the best.

Greg Stokes
Note: I want to wish Tim Jensen the best in his new position. He did a great job as Editor of the Enfield Press. Tim, thanks for the opportunity you gave me to express the Republican side of politics.GTS