Letter: In response to 'Higher taxes next year are in the making'

Posted 11/20/18

To the editor:

I'm sorry you are displeased with the election results, Tom. I hope my service to our town does prove you wrong and changes your mind.

I agree with you that different voices are …

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Letter: In response to 'Higher taxes next year are in the making'

Posted

To the editor:

I'm sorry you are displeased with the election results, Tom. I hope my service to our town does prove you wrong and changes your mind.

I agree with you that different voices are important. There are many ways voices can be the same, and many they can be different. You seem to highly value the voice of “long-time Barrington resident.” I agree with you on this point, as well. The continuity of experience and being able to recall various changes and events in town is important. There will remain three other councilors who have that voice, as I am the only person to have lived here fewer than 25 years. This provides me with a different voice from the others; bringing with me the experience of living elsewhere. 

I am the only person who works at a technology consultancy at which I’m exposed to and involved in many different innovative approaches to working on projects and resolving challenges iteratively and continuously. I believe I'm the only councilor with a master's degree in business. None of this is a criticism of any current or former members. There are different ways to do things "right," and different backgrounds and paths that bring people to a place at which they can succeed. I wanted to point the differences I am bringing to our council because you and I agree that differences are important.

It was evident to me the non-partisan committee on appropriations put significant effort into mitigating increased expenses. Our town and our school departments have good retention. That's a very good thing for an employer, but it does mean that people earn more due to salary increases and there are less frequent vacancies to create savings. Things cost more each year, for everybody, everywhere. A town as terrific as Barrington is, unfortunately, no exception. 

I look forward to meeting you and discussing your ideas on how we can maintain our wonderful town while reducing costs.

Jacob Brier

Barrington

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