stevejzoo writes “Voters in Philipstown, in Putnam County, New York, approved an increase in operating budget for the Julia Butterfield Library from $125,000 to $276,000. Elected officials, however, decided that they will not provide the increase in funding because voters were “bamboozled.” Town supervisor William Mazucca told the NY Journal News reporter “It is not that the town doesn’t want to work with the library … But an increase like they’ve asked for is unconscionable, unreasonable. I have a right, an obligation, to the people of the town who feel like they have been bamboozled in the election.’ ‘
The library board has asked a state supreme court justice to order the board to release the funds.
See the NY Journal News editorial, published March 31st, at http://www.nyjournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article ?AID=/20070331/OPINION/703310325/1151“
What a lovely word
Bamboozled! Don’t hear that much these days.
Particularly not as a reason to override a legal, certified election result.
You know those librarians: Keeping secrets and bamboozling poor innocent voters…
fair’s fair
I’ve seen libraries try and make similar arguments when their budgets or attempts at a tax override for a new building fails.
and?
And it’s bullshit when they do it too. What’s your point?
my point
fair’s fair
Re:my point
Bull. You name one instance where a library said “We’re taking the money anyway, because the voters were bamboozled into turning down the attempt.”
It’s an honorable American tradition for losers in any situation to say the winners bamboozled the voters. Sometimes it’s even true.
The difference here is that the town’s saying they can nullify the vote. No library has ever attempted to do that.
Re:my point
True. Instead they immediately try and get a new vote to overturn the old vote. They’ll have it on a different day and/or advertise as little as possible to supress turnout.
Here in Mass., land of Prop. 2 1/2, there’s all kinds of ways towns try and get tax overrides passed over and above having one simple, fair, vote.
I’m not saying this town is right and I’ll be surprised if this is allowed to stand but I’m not exactly shocked by it.
contradiction … “
Above you said: “I’m not saying this town is right
But earlier you said: “Fair’s fair.”
Which is it?
Re:contradiction
I didn’t say the other way was right either.