September 28, 2005

Dear Gates Chili Editor:

A "campaign of fear and deception" is exactly what Mr. Esposito expounded in his last letter to the editor. He keeps trying to characterize our plan with his ideas for spending cuts, none of which neither I nor any of our slate have ever supported. For example, he mentioned cutting highway services. He has already reduced highway repair services this year and stated so at Gates Town Board meetings, even though he has said there will be no cut in services!

As a means of reducing spending, he never seems to have considered that he and the Town Board did not have to vote themselves pay raises year after year while the Town was struggling financially. If the Democratic slate is elected Nov. 8th, we will roll back Town Board and Supervisor salaries to 1999 levels and not have a car for the supervisor’s use at taxpayer expense.

As many of you are aware, the Town borrowed almost $2 million in April as a Revenue Anticipation Note [think cash advance!] The majority of the money to repay this one year loan is going to have to come from 2006 tax increases. Mr. Esposito consistently understates his tax increases. He admits that taxes have gone up in the last 3 years. He doesn’t say it is by 26.4%. He says taxes are going up in 2006. He doesn’t say what he has said to others – 2006 taxes are going up 10-15%!

Everybody is anxious to see Mr. Esposito’s plan for solving our financial problems. When we ask him at Town Board meetings, he tells us to wait for the 2006 budget! Unfortunately, the budget hearing will not be held until the day after Election Day. If the Democratic slate is elected this fall we will not hide behind the law. We will hold budget hearings prior to Election Day so the residents can be informed voters. We believe in Open Government and we will practice it!

Our platform, posted on our web site since August at www.gatesdemocrats.org, describes the approach we would take to restoring fiscal responsibility to Gates. Since we don’t know the results of the NYS Comptrollers Office audit of the Town’s finances, the extent of our current financial crises is unknown. In addition to salary and perk rollbacks above, we will use the proven technique of a diverse, bipartisan quality circle or committee to develop spending priorities. This is a proven technique used by most major corporations.

It’s time to put a stop the current policy of borrow, tax, and spend. Elect our Gates Democratic Team. We will work to make your town a place where people want to live, work and raise a family.

Susan Swanton (Candidate - Gates town supervisor)
Endorsed by Democratic, Independence and Working Families parties