Stuck Between Stations

"There are nights when I think Sal Paradise was right." Saturday’s workshop with members of the Board of Education and the City Council sitting together to understand fiscal realities was an important starting point to face up and address the approaching municipal budget formulation season that promises, this year, to be even more painful for practically everyone across Norwich.

Last year’s budget, described as ‘bare bones’ throughout its development, this year looks to be an unachievable ideal, as all manner of revenues are down and every aspect of municipal costs have risen. For those making due with what we have for our own households and who are trying to hold the line on expenses, take those struggles and place them in a one-hundred million dollar frame of reference to better appreciate what Norwich is working with and against.

"Most nights are crystal clear." There are no good guys and bad guys when the money gets tight. What there needs to be, and Saturday’s meeting showed the way, is a discussion and consensus that defines essential municipal services, details the level those services should be offered and their costs and identifies those means to fund them. We may, as the poets write, cry for the moon—but we have finally acknowledged that we can only have what we can pay for.

For too many years, all of us have been spectators in a process that pitted various agencies of our own city government against each other. Too many didn’t think we could get involved or should get involved until the City Council public hearings on the budget. The trouble with that level of engagement is by the time those hearings are held, most of the budget discussions have been had and the decisions have been made. When we, the residents, don’t show up until the landing, it’s poor form to complain about the plane’s take-off or destination.

That neither members of the Board of Education nor the City Council wasted a moment posturing or hand-wringing or talking AT one another, rather than WITH one another, was more than encouraging, it was essential. It’s NOT just the “schools” who have a budget problem, or “public works” or “public safety.” It’s ALL of us and if it helps, it's not just here.

The Golden Age of Glittering Generalities is a luxury none of us can afford. Specific goals, and means to achieve them, to include paying for those goods and services we want, is the only way to work through the current situation. That means being active now as the discussions begin and offering informed suggestions. We can all agree that we cannot afford everything we want. "Big heads and soft bodies make for lousy lovers." That means we must lower our expectations as well as our voices and work to pay for what we need without bankrupting ourselves today or tomorrow.
-bill kenny