Don't give trustees increased sales tax

To the editor: It takes a village to stop special interest public spending in Deer Park. The few of us who regularly speak out at board meetings cannot do it alone. Believe us, we've tried.

The trustees just approved a new five-year "stewardship" contract for the Vehe Farm Foundation. In it, anyone and everyone, past, present and future associated with the foundation is indemnified, as long as they didn't believe what they were doing was criminal and believed they were acting in the best interests of the foundation.

That's right, the best interests of the foundation. Not the village or residents--the best interests of the foundation. Under their stewardship, the Barn is $600,000 over budget.

Our village and the foundation have the same attorney. Maybe that's proper, strictly speaking, but it's just too cozy for our comfort.

President Gifford says no funds were "diverted" from roads to Vehe. He's right. This board and previous ones simply failed to fund the roads program instead of Vehe.

The referendum directs spending on "public infrastructure, SUCH AS street and drainage improvements." It should have read "LIMITED TO street and drainage improvements." Public infrastructure could include new plans at Vehe. Or some new special interest project. We just don't have confidence in the current board's majority.

Vote NO on the sales tax. Once we get a new board and a new president in 2009, then we can reconsider.

Al and Deborah Barry

Deer Park