Ferguson: ‘Expect a different outcome'

To the editor: The village election on March 21 will determine who will guide the future of our village. I have stated my case for the need of a vision backed by a realistic, multi-year financial plan. You must answer the question: “Which candidate is best qualified to guide our village for the next four years?” I have put my qualifications on www.fergusonformonroe.com for your review to decide if I’m that person; I believe that I am. I am the only candidate who has real experience in governmental budgeting and planning. I understand the danger of offsetting expenditures with fund balance (your equity) to keep the tax rate down. It doesn’t last for ever. I will strive to: 1. Implement a financial plan that will look forward to anticipate problems instead of react to them. 2. Establish a relationship between the Village Board and merchants to revitalize our village and make it an attractive place to visit. 3. Work with the Joint Parks & Recreation Commission to focus on teen programs and a recreation center. 4. Leverage inter-municipal cooperation to cut costs and redundancy in government. 5. Hold monthly budget reviews with department heads to address problems before, not after, the end of the fiscal year. 6. Require the planning and zoning boards to report to the Village Board at monthly meetings. 7. Foster better communication with our residents concerning developments and how they will affect their property before, not during, construction. Someone once defined insanity as “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome.” What do you see as different over the last decade? A movie theater becomes an eyesore. Growth in development, but not recreation. One outcome we can agree on is increased taxes. If you want to see what has been happening with your taxes I suggest you visit my Web site, which was created to give you information to make an informed vote. You can also e-mail me. If you don’t have a computer, call me at 783-7320. I have done my job of giving you the facts straight from the village financial statements. Has your candidate provided you with the information necessary to make an informed vote? I feel I have and that is why you should vote Ferguson, Row B on March 21 for fiscal responsibility. Scott Ferguson Monroe