You Have Got To Be Joking Did the Litchfield Board of Finance present its Town Budget prematurely? It seems the $80K savings to be realized from First Selectman, Leo Paul and the Department of Public Works maintaining the school facilities was not deducted from the budget. You Have Got To Be Joking . $80K in savings and they left it in the budget? Why, you ask? Isn't that fiscally irresponsible, you ask? Those were my questions at the Town Budget Meeting and the answer was alarming silent, as none was provided… that is, until I persisted, but it was more like a tip-toe dance than answers to my questions. It seems, as I was told, tonight's meeting wasn't the correct forum to question the budget; that was to be done during Board of Finance meetings. Which is true. Good answer. However, that, too, would not have been the correct time either, as the agreement with the BOE and First Selectmen hadn't been reached yet. Isn't that convenient for Mr. Paul? Now he has $80K to play with. Moreover, what is truly convenient (more like despicable) is the letter of "Understanding" signed by Mr. Paul and the BOE, I was told, doesn't guarantee, or even speculate ANY SAVINGS WHATSOEVER. It simply passes the maintenance responsibilities to Mr. Paul and the DPW. You Have Got To Be Joking. continued Who in their right mind would sign such a document? Someone with no business acumen, and, too, much loyalty to their political party rather than those they are supposed to be serving? Shame on ALL of You!! I could understand taking a chance with Mr. Paul's plan if two key factors were present: 1. The schools were not being maintained properly (similar to the Community Field restrooms), and/or; 2. Hard documentation as to how the savings were to be achieved… neither of which is the case here. Talk about a snow-job. We heard Mr. Paul tell us last year the savings would be $50K. Now it is up to $80K. However, without an actual analysis or a firm number IN WRITING, Mr. Paul could have pulled $100K out of his hat. Lets see. How did it go…Hmmm, $50K didn't work last year…maybe $80K or $100K will get them? Oh, the heck with it…$80K it is. My point is it doesn't really matter what number Mr. Paul speculates, as Mr. Paul hasn't put a number on paper. Why is that you ask? Is he afraid he might be wrong and he might actually be held accountable - I'm laughing now - Leo Paul wrong…You Have Got To Be Joking. Simple answer - he didn't have to. His Republican BOE cronies ensured him of that by buying into his smoke-n-mirror show without a shred of evidence. Shame on ALL of you!! Smoke-n-mirrors should be saved for the Fun House at the carnival, not the circus you are creating. Best wishes, Ron Glander Litchfield