To The Editor:
Alone of Verona’s candidates, only Kevin Ryan has a council record to stand on – and what a record! From 2011-2013 he was the brave single “No” vote against bloated budgets. Until 2015 councilmen Ryan and Nochimson were still outvoted by the former manager’s majority. But since 2015, supported by Nochimson and newly elected Alex Roman, Mayor Ryan has:
– determined and expedited the change of town managers (long overdue!);
– reformed Verona’s governance to its proper functioning (skilled manager working for and carrying out elected council’s decisions and priorities);
– reformed budgetary process (bringing both mandated timeliness and welcome transparency);
– reformed budgetary results, responsibly eliminating wasteful overlap and overtimes, thus keeping the municipal part of our tax bill flat. (The council has no power over the 75 % of our tax bill that goes to school board and county);
– all the while increasing and improving services (including library upgrades, new improved software and communication systems for town hall and our police department, and expanded curbside pickup).
Being otherwise retired, Ryan can work at this full time, and he works well with others. Even those who disagree with him on specifics readily admit he listens as well as he talks, is straightforward, and is true to his word.
Of the other candidates, only Jack McEvoy has Ryan’s endorsement as a sure and solid supporter of all this good work. McEvoy has for years attended, studied, and advised both the council and the town planning board. Anyone voting for anyone else, without personally knowing her/him, votes just for promises, risking our reformed council/management ways and continued progress.
Stephen M. Johnson
94 Elmwood Road
Verona
