To The Editor:
At the April 26 Verona candidates debate (viewable on YouTube), half of them tried to sucker us by suggesting our council lacks transparency, fiscal restraint, etc. Informed locals know that used to be true, but has already been completely turned around.
Since 2015 Mayor Kevin Ryan, finally supported by two fellow councilmen (Nochimson and Roman), has replaced the old manager and bad practices. Since then this council majority has:
– 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 mandated timeliness and welcome transparency);
– reformed budgetary results, responsibly eliminating wasteful overlap and overtimes, thus keeping the municipal part of our tax bill flat every year. (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 police hires, improved software and communication systems for both town hall and police department, even expanded curbside pickup).
– enhanced the council’s relationship with the school board and communication among the town’s boards, employees, and citizens.
Don’t risk the reformed council/management ways and continued progress by voting for anyone who acts ignorant of these realities. If anyone ever deserved re-election, it’s Kevin Ryan. . . .
Of the other candidates, only Jack McEvoy has been attending and advising the council and planning board. He has Ryan’s explicit endorsement as a reliable supporter/expander of all this good work.
Stephen M. Johnson
Verona resident
