The Rumford municipality has been at the crossroads of financial collapse for the past several years without taking the necessary steps to align its service costs to a reasonable taxation policy.

During my recent 12-month service as town manager, and during the past several months, I have submitted recommendations that would decrease the budget. The current leadership team has not acted upon, or even acknowledged, the suggestions.

I believe cost reductions should have been implemented during this fiscal year, rather than the large tax increase (four mills). The selectmen have failed to deal effectively with hard decisions to reduce the spending.

I believe the budget should have been reduced by approximately $1.2 million rather than raising it. Their failure to create and act on achievable cost saving strategies demands our attention at the polls.

The proposed budget should be voted down on June 8 and sent back to the new board of selectmen for their action.

The town needs new leadership. The elected selectpersons must be willing to accept, promote and execute good ideas to conclusion. The ideas must be developed from effective listening and professionalism, rather than tabling important issues. Reduced budgets are possible, but a few hard decisions must be made.

If I could vote against a few of the candidates, I would vote against Brad Adley and Jolene Lovejoy. During the years, they have not provided the important leadership to move the town and region forward.

Len Greaney, Rumford Center