Budich offers qualifications for Monroe Town Board

To the editor: My name is Theresa Budich. I've lived in Monroe for 21 years. I have four children and my husband and I have worked in this county for many years. I was a founding member of the M-W Special Education PTA (SEPTA). I chaired the Oklahoma City Disaster Relief Fund. I advocate for all children, as well as volunteer on the M-W Board of Education. Recently, my opponent Mr. Martin wrote in a letter to the editor that he was proud that the Town of Monroe has had a modest increase in taxes as compared to the school district. He stated that Monroe's taxes have "only" increased by a mere 16 percent, excluding the library budget. Considering we have no police department, an all-volunteer fire department, no parks or pools, and our roads are in need of considerable repair and expansion, that number seems high. Our community faces serious issues due to poor planning on the part of our current town board. Instead of seeking solutions to these serious quality-of-life issues, my opponents compound them though policies of rezoning light industrial properties to residential and multifamily (Meadow Glen and Bald Hill developments). The incumbents have also approved spot zoning (approving apartments over retail businesses). They have steadfastly refused to increase fines to those individuals that disturb wetlands for development purposes and to remove developer incentives. Several hundred acres of green space are jeopardized because the current town board refuses to designate it as parkland and protect it from future development. My opponents recently approved commuter buses to ride on narrow local roads, thereby threatening the health and safety of its residents. Change does not happen overnight, but I believe with the help of my running mates, Kathy Parrella and Bob Purdy, we can stop this downward spiral. By enforcing our existing laws, we can stop this trend of over-development and never-ending traffic jams. I propose we increase fines to a level that would truly deter developers from filling in precious wetland areas and officially designate our current green space as parks. We need to treat all villages within the town fairly and equally. My opponents would have us believe that their hands are tied or they need more time. They have had a combined 57 years as members of our town board. How much more time do they need? How much more time does Monroe have? Please vote in the primary on Sept. 13. Theresa Budich Candidate for Monroe town board Monroe