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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>Mr. Holmes – <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>One person’s necessary project is seen by another as unnecessary waste. This is a fundamental view of society that unfortunately is difficult to reconcile politically. To some of us a community center where the many hundreds of youths can go for activities and programs is seen as a benefit to the town, to others who may not have a personal need for it, it is an example of public sector profligacy. I always try to keep in mind that whatever success I have today, I had many people helping me out along the way, be it soccer coaches, Scoutmasters, or civic or community leaders. There are many that do not have this; to paraphrase what my grandfather always taught me and to quote John F. Kennedy, “to those whom much is given, much is expected.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>Policy decisions should be evaluated with all known and available facts, not made based upon a ‘one size fits all’ series of pledges or committments. I believe we all want a Riverdale Park is a great place to live, work, and play and personally I will continue to judge each and every situation individually as it comes up and make the most informed decisions I can possibly make. It is how I run my businesses, it is how I run my personal finances, and it is how I try to govern. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>It is entirely true that the town does have long-term annual debt payments in the neighborhood of 125k/year. After refinancing these obligations to take advantage of historically low rates last year (i.e. 3%), this does represent approximately 2% of our annual budget. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>If you believe the town is on the wrong path, come to meetings, voice your opinion in a forum other than this, ask to be appointed onto committees, volunteer to mentor the youth, or even run for office. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>Respectfully,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>Jonathan<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>Councilman Ward 1<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>Chairman Econmic Development Committee<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'>4711 Oliver Street<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#000040'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>