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Guest opinion: Let Atherton decide: add taxes or cut spending

Original post made on Sep 14, 2010

Atherton, like most communities, faces severe financial stress.

Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 12:00 AM

Comments (6)

Posted by peter carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Sep 14, 2010 at 5:17 pm

peter carpenter is a registered user.

Malcom Dudley suggests that the only alternatives are either cutting services or increasing taxes. I disagree. The best alternative would be for the Town to become a more efficient provider of services so that it can provide the same, or even greater, level of services without raising taxes. As long as the Town leadership believes that they can simply pass on any increases in costs to the taxpayers there is no incentive for them to become better managers and better stewards of our tax dollars.


Posted by John P Johns
a resident of another community
on Sep 14, 2010 at 6:00 pm

I disagree with Malcom Dudley. Cutting services or raising taxes is a false choice. It is a false choice because it is predicated upon the assumption that the Atherton Town Government is operating as efficiently and as effectively as it can.

I find this assumption implicit in Mr. Dudley's quest opinion as surprising. He is an investment adviser and a former member of the Atherton City Council. He should have the financial savy and the insight into the Town's operations to know that Atherton can and should do better for its constituents.

The failure of the Town of Atherton to come up with any solutions (such as the possible outsourcing of the police department or elements thereof) is a clear indication of the crisis of leadership which confronts the Town.

Hopefully with the new city council will come a new city manager. Hopefully the new city council will have the wisdom to hire a successful and energetic town resident who can find a way out of the current financial mess.


Posted by Atherton Taxpayer
a resident of Atherton: other
on Sep 16, 2010 at 1:01 pm

J.Buckheit for City Manager
J.Johns for Finance Director
K.Sweidy for Building Official
K.McKeithen for Mayor for Life/chief litigator
P.Carpenter for Almanac Town Forum moderator

Who needs a TEA party?


Posted by Fedup
a resident of Atherton: other
on Sep 16, 2010 at 5:03 pm

And don't forget

Michael Stogner for non resident busybody


Posted by Striking terror
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Sep 17, 2010 at 1:38 am

Not much more terror could be struck in the hearts of corrupt and overpaid Atherton employees than the prospect of Mr. Buckheit becoming City Manager, teamed up with Mayor Kathy McKeithen. Talk about a house cleaning! We can only hope.


Posted by save out town
a resident of Atherton: West Atherton
on Sep 17, 2010 at 9:23 am

Buckheit for City Manager


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