SO WERE MY PRAYERS ANSWERED?


As 2006 began I wrote an article that was focused on my hope and prayer for the Enfield Town Council. I wrote this after a number of weeks of bad blood between Council members based mainly on the dismissal of former Town Manager, Scott Shanley.

Here is the prayer I wrote:

May God bless your work on behalf of us, the citizens of Enfield. As you enter a new year may you succeed in all you do, and may your failures be few. When the hours get long, and meetings run late, may you gain strength in knowing that your work is not in vain. When critics insult you and pass along blame, may you know there are many of us who appreciate you, even when we disagree.
May God grant you wisdom beyond your intellect and, clarity of thought in making tough choices. May God bless your families as they share you with the entire community of Enfield. May God give peace and joy in your service to others, which is the greatest of endeavors.
Last, my prayer is that you find and celebrate the value of each Council Member, for in each person elected is the possibility of greatness, while simply attempting to do good.
So was my prayer answered? Well, actually it was.

As we closed out 2005 there was the feeling of hurt and distrust because of the Shanley issue. However, as 2006 began to progress the Council settled into many more issues that needed to be addressed.

Of course top on the list was finding a new Town Manager. The Town Council did a good job replacing the anxiety of 2005 with the choice of Matt Coppler as the town’s new Chief executive.

Matt has settled into the job, and his performance is worthy of praise.

So what will be the big issue for 2007? The answer is how the Town Council handles the results of the 2006 evaluation.

We all have received the letter that shows the new estimated value of our property. Many people were shocked and a little confused when they saw the figures and did a calculation of what this would mean to the taxes we pay.

The fact is the Council is going to have to adjust the Mill Rate to accommodate the new value of residential property. How they decide to do this will determine if you and I stay level with our taxes or see an increase.

Common wisdom is that the Mill Rate will need an adjustment that will be fair to everyone. Some have seen their property evaluation jump as low as fifty percent and while some have seen it jump as high as one hundred percent.

Therefore, the Council has a tough job ahead to create fairness to every taxpayer.

If the Council approaches this like they approached the process to hire the new Town Manager we all should be just fine.

That means that if the leadership includes everyone in the process, listen to those in the minority, and endeavors to create fairness for the it’s citizens, we the taxpayer should not feel a severe hit in our future tax bills.

The 2007-2008 budget is going to have to be gone over carefully to assure efficiencies in spending. The Council may need to base the Mill Rate on a percentage to take into account the inequality of property value increases in Enfield.

But, if the Town Council performs the way they did in 2006 it is my belief that we, the residents, should feel that we have been treated fairly.

Therefore, here is my prayer for 2007.

May God Bless the leaders of our Town. When you feel frustrated because of the number of issues you deal with, may you seek the corporate wisdom of your fellow elected officials.

When you disagree, may you not be disagreeable. When you succeed may you face it with humility. When you fail, may you know that you are not measured by your failures, but by your efforts.

God bless your families for the sacrifice they make while you attend to your community. May God bless your health because of the strain the job places on you. Last, may Gods watchful eye be on the citizens of Enfield in 2007. Amen.

Have a great New Year!
Greg Stokes