Town Layoffs are Inexcusable

Town layoffs are inexcusable

Shame on Armonk ("North Castle lays off five employees to get 4.5 percent tax hike," Dec. 19 story). I have been a resident and land owner in North Castle for more than 60 years, and never thought I would see the day when any of our town employees got fired to reduce the budget; especially a police officer, and at the holiday season. Ask yourselves how would you like to be laid off right now? We are not a poor community; big, expensive gas-guzzling SUVs line Main Street with its expensive shops. To save a little money on the backs of town employees is criminal.

At a retirement party for outgoing Supervisor Jack Lombardi, a notable Town Board member stated: All board members need to ask themselves in the future, how would Jack Lombardi handle this? Not this way, my friends. God forbid a police officer arrives a minute too late in your time of need because of a cut from the budget so we can have another cup of coffee at Starbucks. Where are our priorities? This is a bad decision, and we should be ashamed of ourselves.

Bob Gladman

Nice letter Bob, however you entirely missed the point. The town is not being effectively managed. Millions are wasted each year in retiree health benefits, inefficient road department operations and other items too lengthy to mention here. The key to retaining our quality of life is to cutback on things the town doesn't do well and contract them out to the private sector. However, if you are willing to voluntarily increase your share, we are all willing to support you.