This is in response to a letter from Tammy English, “Atmosphere of negativity,” (Sept. 17). She does have a point about the voter turnout, but when it comes to the statement “our children are suffering the consequences” because of the negativity toward RSU 16, I am completely appalled.

The children of our community are not suffering because we have not passed a reasonable budget for the RSU. The children are suffering because the RSU has made absolutely no attempt to listen to what the community has to say.

The RSU still spends money every day to keep itself going.

I’m sorry that the three communities do not want to spend money for RSU 16 administration raises when most of the citizens in these communities have gone without raises for several years. I am sorry that the communities do not want to spend money on programs that are unneeded and unwanted that cost money with no educational value.

If the RSU could justify its budget, and show that the money will in some way benefit the children, we wouldn’t be without a budget.

And what questions by the communities are being referred to as “twisted questions”? Every question that was asked?

Maybe the citizens of these towns want the RSU to be held accountable for its spending.

And why is it that with all of the votes does the town of Minot end up spending three times more than the town of Mechanic Falls and the town of Poland?

Christopher Strout, Minot