Can you say, blackball?
Below is a letter sent to me by a neighbor via email regarding tonight's NEAT meeting at JFK Middle School. I've registered myself twice at the NEAT website for email updates, but strangely none have been forthcoming. Okay, so perhaps I am NEAT's bromate.
So much for, "community-wide." Thus far a dollar figure has not been mentioned re: the override:
"Hello all:
First of all, Happy New Year! I hope 2009 is off to a good start for you all.
Secondly, I wanted to let you know that the community-wide meeting to begin to address the imminent fiscal crisis for Northampton has been rescheduled from Jan. 28th to:
Wednesday, February 4th
7:00 – 8:30 pm
JFK Community Room
JFK Middle School
I am including below a sample email you can copy and send out to your friends, neighbors and co-workers to recruit them to this meeting. We want to reach as many people as possible from many walks of Northampton life so we can hit the ground running in this short but critical campaign.
Thanks and look forward to seeing you soon!
Pam Schwartz
on behalf of NEAT
Sample Email
Subject: Save Northampton! Budget crisis meeting on 2/4 at 7 pm
The national economic crisis is hitting home. Northampton is at risk as it faces the prospect of massive budget cuts from the loss of state aid. Our security, our schools, our property values, our roads, our local economy, and our community as a whole will suffer greatly unless we come together and do what is necessary to protect ourselves and the services we depend upon on a daily basis.
Come find out what you can do to help. We will discuss a property tax override and answer questions about why we need it, why it's worth it and why NOT passing one would be far worse for all of us.
Please join us on:
Wednesday, February 4th
7-8:30 pm
JFK Community Room
JFK Middle School
If you can't make it but want to get informed or involved, please let me know and we'll make sure to be in touch.
Hope to see you there!
Thanks,
[your name]"
