Skoog, Capo and Skoog-Harvey
question 23 percent town spending increase

Sweden town supervisor candidate Gary Skoog and town board candidates Bob Capo and Jennifer Skoog-Harvey talked with over 30 residents on a recent weekend regarding concerns about the current town board's spending practices. The three candidates spent a Saturday afternoon walking door-to-door in the Evergreen Road/Clark Street neighborhood in Brockport.

"A 23 percent increase in spending from 2002 to 2003 is inappropriate. Given the budgetary difficulties municipalities are experiencing across this state, it is irresponsible to increase expenditures so exorbitantly. Taxpayers should not be expected to keep up with such irresponsible budgeting," town supervisor candidate Gary Skoog was quoted as saying in the press release. "It's time to keep a lid on spending. I doubt any other town in Monroe County had such a huge budget increase in a one-year period."

Since Town Supervisor Lester took office, town spending has increased by $1,284,377 or 53.2 percent, an average annual increase of almost 9 percent, the release stated.

"Our campaign is about taking the message to the residents of our community, and, conversely, being accessible in empowering those residents to share their concerns with us. I spoke with residents this past Saturday in a Northwest neighborhood and many shared our concerns about town spending increases. We are in an economy in which our residents are not experiencing a 23 percent increase in their spending threshold this year, therefore, why should the town supervisor and town board members feel justified in approving a $700,000 increase in town spending?" town board candidate Bob Capo was quoted as stating in the press release. "I do not believe that an increase of this magnitude is being fiscally responsible for a community in which those shouldering the tax burden has decreased by 3 percent over the past 10 years," he said.

Candidates Skoog, Capo and Skoog-Harvey say they have launched an inclusive and non-partisan "Community First" campaign that includes holding the line on spending, opposing the placement of a Wal-Mart Super Center on Route 31, increasing community involvement, enhancing the relationship between town and village governments, and improving planning and economic development efforts.

"Our 'Community First' campaign is all about recognizing residents' expectations of their town government. Officials must answer to the people they serve, and they must not get in the habit of overspending taxpayer dollars. Right now is the time to rein in spending," said town board candidate Skoog-Harvey.

Residents can read articles about local news and the 'Community First' campaign on the Better Brockport N.E.T. web site www.betterbrockport.org.