Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Letter: Mayor's budget is 'Washington Monument ploy.'
Newburyport Daily News

To the editor:

In 1969, in response to a 4 percent budget cut, the National Park Service closed the national parks two days a week, including the Grand Canyon and the Washington Monument. Public outcry was so great that Congress reversed the cuts. Thus, a bureaucratic stratagem was born ó close the most visible/favorite government programs in hopes that the public outcry will reverse budget cuts.

The Washington Post named it the "Washington Monument syndrome." It is also known as the "Washington Monument ó ploy, proposal or strategy."

David Hildt's proposed FY 2006 $48.7 million budget includes its own "Washington Monument ploy." David wants to cut the 4th of July fireworks, the Santa Parade and the Veterans and Memorial days parades for a savings of $6,600 while increasing overall spending by $2.8 million (6 percent).

Here is an alternative suggestion. Cut the mayor's office budget by eliminating out-of-state travel ($2,500), in-state travel ($3,000) and dues and subscriptions ($7,000). Then David can spend his time left in office in Amesbury, working on Amesbury's problems.

TOM IACOBUCCI

Amesbury