Letter: Democratic team will be effective

To the editor,

It was with interest that I read the candidate profile with Republican Selectman Michael Krenesky (Citizen’s News, Oct. 20, 2017). He has been a selectman for ten years, but vaguely claims that things are “left to chance” under the current administration and wants to be returned to office to continue to work for the voters. If what he says is true, how does putting him back on the Board of Selectman change anything? He seems to want it both ways; he is doing a good job and should be reelected, but at the same time, things are not being done right, but it’s not his fault. Why hasn’t he made motions at meetings to correct his perceived wrongs?

Mr. Krenesky says he tried to put an ordinance into place that would “protect” the taxpayers from people who “take advantage of the tax system.” He claims that the reason that ordinance was not enacted is because “the administration” did not support him. Mr. Krenesky is part of this administration. After receiving a legal opinion, he withdrew his ordinance without asking for a vote.

Mr. Krenesky claims that he wants to “protect” the taxpayers. It is interesting that he and his supporters are outraged that Democrat Selectman Peter Betkoski, a small business owner, fell behind on his taxes, as did many small business owners. In an honorable plan to pay those taxes, Mr. Betkoski filed Chapter 13, which allows him to make regular payments over time.

Mr. Krenesky’s comments regarding Selectman Betkoski’s tax situation and his lack of any comment on the Republican candidate for treasurer who also owes taxes yet has made no plans for repayment, highlights the fact that he is making a lot of hypocritical noise in hopes of gaining a few votes.

After taking cheap shots at our selectmen, Mr. Krenesky turns to our tax collector, Mary Anne Holloway, who has done an outstanding job collecting over $1.5 million in back taxes while exercising the highest ethical standards. He suggests that she has used political affiliation when making decisions about putting properties up for auction. Once again, Mr. Krenesky is taking cheap shots with no concern for the truth, again, just to get a few extra votes.

Residents on Highland Avenue have been in need of road repairs for at least ten years. First Selectman Chris Bielik worked to get grants to pay for this expensive project. Of course, Mr. Krenesky does not want our first selectman to get any credit for this, so he complains that it was not part of an overall road maintenance plan. The fact is that an overall road plan has been discussed and proposed many times over the years, under several administrations. The voters chose not to support the money being included in the budget.

We support the small town concept of decision making by our citizens. How about Mr. Krenesky?

According to state statute, the Board of Finance is responsible for putting together the annual budget that is presented to the taxpayers for approval. Mr. Krenesky knows full well that there is no “first selectman’s budget.” The selectmen work closely with the Finance Board to develop a budget which meets the needs of our citizens. This is yet another cynical attempt to mislead the voters.

If voters want an effective administration that is truthful, they should vote for Christopher Bielik and Peter Betkoski and the entire Democratic team.

Katherine Grace

Beacon Falls

The writer is the Beacon Falls Democratic Registrar of Voters and a member of the Beacon Falls Democratic Town Committee.