Audrey Fortier, Rodier Road, is running for the remaining two year term of the Town Council seat that was left open when David E. Webster resigned his seat in July.
See all the236diner stories on the 2009 elections
Here is Ms. Fortier’s response to the questions posed by the236diner:
Audrey (Spinney) Fortier I grew up in Eliot and graduated as part of the first class to graduate from the (then) new Marshwood High School in Eliot in 1967. I earned my BA at the University of Maine at Orono. I have been a resident of South Berwick for over 33 years, living with my husband, Norman, and assorted horses and cats. Our son grew up in the beautiful woods of Tatnic. We plan to live the rest of our lives here.
I was a Letter Carrier in the U.S. Postal Service for over 30 years and retired from the South Berwick Post Office in 2004.
I have always been interested in politics and the affairs of government and how it affects every aspect of our lives. It is disturbing to me that while ordinary citizens are busy trying to earn a living, pay their bills and raise their families, 4 or 5 people can, with a stroke of a pen and good intentions take away your property rights or raise your taxes without you even knowing it.
About five years ago, I began attending the Town Council and other municipal meetings because we almost “got zinged” by one of those little zoning changes (zone Rural 4: minimum lot requirement change from 3 to 5 acres). Just a stroke of the pen by a few people on a committee!
The more meetings I attended, the more I saw that the interests of the hard-working “Joe Citizen” were not represented. That is why I finally decided to run for a seat on the Town Council: to represent the folks who work hard and live frugally. Since I am retired, I have the time and energy to commit to this task.
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South Berwick faces two immediate threats:
1. The Charter Amendment: to restrict the rights of voters at Town Meeting.
2. Question 2 on the State Referendum Election on Nov. 3
Let me explain.
The Town Council has decided to revise the Town Charter (the local constitution) and needs the approval of the voters to do so. On the surface, the changes seem rather benign, changing titles from Councilman to Council Member. Here’s the kicker:
Article IV, Sec. 8 Transfer of Appropriations
At the request of the manager and within 3 months of the budget year, the council may, by resolution, transfer any unencumbered appropriation balance or portion thereof between general classification of expenditures within a (delete “department” add “budget warrant article”), and such transfer shall not require town meeting approval under Article VII, section 2.
This change, if approved by the voters, would enable the Town Council to bundle together various budget items in the Town Warrant. Instead of voting on the separate Department budgets such as the Fire Dept., Police Dept., Public Works Dept., Recreation Dept., Library, Capital Improvements (roads), approval of this Charter change would allow the Town Council to combine in the same Warrant article the Fire Dept. and Code Enforcement OR the Capital Improvements with the Library Or the Police Dept. with the Recreation Dept. Or why not just combine a whole lot of things in a few omnibus articles like Congress and the School Board do: take it all or leave it! Don’t give the voters a chance to modify the budget at all!
At the Public Hearing on August 10, 2009, there was not one citizen in favor of this change. Several citizens asked the Town Council to postpone these changes and form a Charter Commission to deliberate these serious issues. It didn’t matter. The Town Council ignored the audience entirely. Apparently, the Public Hearing is just a legal formality. WHY THE HURRY???
You can listen to the Public Hearing on the Charter Amendments at:
www.southberwickupdate.com PH 081009
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The second immediate threat to South Berwick is Question 2 on the State Referendum.
The excise tax is paid on motor vehicles and camper trailers, etc.
If approved, Question 2 would cut the excise tax in half. It would also exempt
hybrid vehicles for 3 years.
Sounds like a great idea, eh?
Here is the impact:
Last year, the town of South Berwick received $999,700 revenue from Excise Taxes. If Question 2 is passed, we will receive about $400,000 (latest projection). We will experience a budget shortfall of nearly half a million dollars! This would be a serious setback to our local budget.
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The three primary duties of local government are roads, schools, and public safety.
Until the economy improves, the town government needs to control spending just to maintain the present infrastructure and services.
Being frugal doesn’t just mean slashing services. It entails finding new ways of doing the same thing a better way. A good example of this is the SAD #35 exploring a new source of revenue by enrolling tuition students. This is only in an exploratory stage, but the School Board and the Superintendent should be applauded for their creative initiative.
Another example of tough times bringing people together is when one of our Town Councilors took over the task of putting out all the American flags downtown on holidays. She saved the town a significant amount of money and brought together a disparate (not desperate) group of volunteers all united in their civic pride and frugality.
In another five years, the economy will be rebounding, new opportunities will appear, and we will be able to breathe a little easier financially, both personally and as a community.
Working in the South Berwick Post Office for 15 years gave me insight into the various “neighborhoods” of our town. Attitudes about local government and demand for services vary significantly throughout the town.
Prior to working at the South Berwick Post Office, I was trained as a Facilitator in the U.S. Postal Service for the labor-management employee involvement process. I am familiar with the process of collaboration with different interests.
I believe that more unites us than divides us. South Berwick is strong enough to provide for the basic needs of its citizens while at the same time allowing individuals the freedom to live their own lives as they see fit.
