Solutions are needed in our Town and we need them right away. Economic Development has come to a grinding halt and we can't be happy with our results in the last two years. I feel that we did not get what we should of when we hired an in house director and it was a costly mistake. Also, we are looking at people who just don't want to give any money to the DEDC to help in this arena, and in the end, the people of Derry are "missing the boat".
Derry once had the medical field niche with Parkland Medical and the doctors who associated with them and that was something Derry could be proud of, however while the powers that be argue about $20,000 to bring business into this town ( a very small amount and one which we are way out spent) Londonderry is now attacking this very niche with Elliot moving in and making their business friendly environment pay-off. Derry will again, come out on the short end of the stick and if we don't turn it around soon, will NEVER recover from higher taxes.
The issue and the question is simple: What does Derry offer for businesses and how can we use our positive attributes to attract business and help lower taxes in our town.
Lets hear some thoughts.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Budget Time
Councilors just finished up their 2nd round of budgets with a whole Saturday marathon meeting. We started the budgets last Thursday on April 16th with both the Derry Library and the Taylor Library. Right out of the gate, councilors looked to trim back a budget that was presented with both increases in salaries and benefits in some cases and putting money aside for capital projects. Both were either trimmed way down and/or eliminated all together.
For instance, Library staff were looking for a 2.5% salary increase and those were trimmed to a 1% increase instead. To my surprise, Councilor Coyle did not Zero line those increase but instead compromised instead.. This was a fair way to handle it.
However, I tried to take out the legal line which had $200 in it. My questions was what kind of legal advise can one get for $200. Besides, The library if need be could use town's legal council if need be..I doubt that it would get used.. My motion failed though, so $200 stays in for legal. I then made a motion to cut $12,000 for a security camera. I thought it could wait until next year. That item was flagged for now meaning we will bring that back up a little bit later.
The Taylor Library also had their salary increases knock down to 1%. They wanted 3.5% over last year. We also took out $20,000 which was to be used in a capital fund for Taylor Library Expansion.. Looks like that will need to wait until better times.
Yesterday we had the Saturday Marathon day and we took out more that $4 million out of what was in the budget. A bond to build a rec facility was motioned out by me because in this economy, the town must keep its spending in line.
I'll post more about the budgets in upcoming posts. Lets hear some of your thoughts about the budget and what should be done for this year.
For instance, Library staff were looking for a 2.5% salary increase and those were trimmed to a 1% increase instead. To my surprise, Councilor Coyle did not Zero line those increase but instead compromised instead.. This was a fair way to handle it.
However, I tried to take out the legal line which had $200 in it. My questions was what kind of legal advise can one get for $200. Besides, The library if need be could use town's legal council if need be..I doubt that it would get used.. My motion failed though, so $200 stays in for legal. I then made a motion to cut $12,000 for a security camera. I thought it could wait until next year. That item was flagged for now meaning we will bring that back up a little bit later.
The Taylor Library also had their salary increases knock down to 1%. They wanted 3.5% over last year. We also took out $20,000 which was to be used in a capital fund for Taylor Library Expansion.. Looks like that will need to wait until better times.
Yesterday we had the Saturday Marathon day and we took out more that $4 million out of what was in the budget. A bond to build a rec facility was motioned out by me because in this economy, the town must keep its spending in line.
I'll post more about the budgets in upcoming posts. Lets hear some of your thoughts about the budget and what should be done for this year.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
State of Economic Development
Remember the old saying " are you better off today than you were last year".Well in the town's economic development arena, I will have to say that the answer is a big NO. The town has for the last two fiscal years supported an in house economic development director after a few years of working with the DEDC. The DEDC are a non-governmental, non-profit group of business owners who have looked after attracting businesses into Derry so that we may get some tax relief for the single family homeowners who's tax bills keep increasing and relief is needed.
Last night, former council member and now president of the DEDC came to give the town an update on DEDC status. They are requesting that the DEDC come back in working arm and arm with the town because they can do it at a far better cost, according to Bulkley, and they can do a far better job in bringing business into town.
The DEDC is requesting $20K this year and an appropriation of $60K for FY2010.
Many questions then followed and some public forum questions were addressed.
It seemed to me that all councilors had and continue to have an open mind right now however I'm sure more questions will be asked before any money is put aside.
The Big question becomes this:
1) Is economic development a priority in this town?
2) What have we gotten for the 200K we spent in two years with in house E.D.?
3)Do we bring back DEDC and how will everyone work hand and hand for the good of the town?
4) If we do nothing, what do we get in the form of new businesses to offset taxes?
5)Are there any new ideas outside of both DEDC and in-house E.D.
I want to hear form you.
Last night, former council member and now president of the DEDC came to give the town an update on DEDC status. They are requesting that the DEDC come back in working arm and arm with the town because they can do it at a far better cost, according to Bulkley, and they can do a far better job in bringing business into town.
The DEDC is requesting $20K this year and an appropriation of $60K for FY2010.
Many questions then followed and some public forum questions were addressed.
It seemed to me that all councilors had and continue to have an open mind right now however I'm sure more questions will be asked before any money is put aside.
The Big question becomes this:
1) Is economic development a priority in this town?
2) What have we gotten for the 200K we spent in two years with in house E.D.?
3)Do we bring back DEDC and how will everyone work hand and hand for the good of the town?
4) If we do nothing, what do we get in the form of new businesses to offset taxes?
5)Are there any new ideas outside of both DEDC and in-house E.D.
I want to hear form you.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Who will be the next..Derry Town Council Chair?
Fresh off yesterdays town elections, the buzz that is all around is all about who will be the next town council chairman?
I would like to hear from you blog readers on who you think will be the next chairman or chairwoman and your reasoning behind your pick..
Also I wanted to congratulate all the winners in yesterdays election and to say thank-you for running and your commitment to the town of Derry for the runners-up.
Please keep engaged into the political scene in town and let your voices be heard.
I would like to hear from you blog readers on who you think will be the next chairman or chairwoman and your reasoning behind your pick..
Also I wanted to congratulate all the winners in yesterdays election and to say thank-you for running and your commitment to the town of Derry for the runners-up.
Please keep engaged into the political scene in town and let your voices be heard.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Polling Places
Just a reminder.
Districts 1 & 4 Vote at Gilbert H Hood Jr High
Districts 2 & 3 Vote at West Running Brook Middle school.
Please exercise your right to vote tomorrow!!!
Districts 1 & 4 Vote at Gilbert H Hood Jr High
Districts 2 & 3 Vote at West Running Brook Middle school.
Please exercise your right to vote tomorrow!!!
Friday, March 06, 2009
Top 10 Least Taxed Cities in America
This puts things into a little better perspective.
Check Out #2!
http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes/article/106691/Top-10-Tax-Friendly-Cities
Check Out #2!
http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes/article/106691/Top-10-Tax-Friendly-Cities
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