Andriote: Changes to Chelsea Parade are an improvement, but not a priority

Five years ago this month, I helped organize a 60th anniversary re-dedication of the Norwich Memorial Rose Garden. The Rose City?s crown jewel at Mohegan Park was originally dedicated in 1948 as a living memorial to city residents who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country in World War II.
As I have regularly stated in this column, I take seriously our nation?s debt to our fellow citizens who risk life and limb to defend freedom and democracy. I share President Barack Obama?s view that we have a sacred obligation to care and provide for the emotional and physical needs of our veterans.
I?d go as far to say that those who serve in the nation?s wars deserve nothing less than to have a home, educational or training expenses, and of course medical costs, paid for out of the U.S. Treasury for the rest of their lives.
Unfortunately, the city?s ?pockets? aren?t nearly as deep as the U.S. Treasury. That?s why the city?s budget process, which just ended, is an annual ordeal. Tough choices have to be made and priorities set.
Things are out of whack when the City Council feels the need to shift money out of the $2.3 million capital budget ? normally used for road and infrastructure maintenance and improvements ? to pay teachers? salaries, and now wants to borrow $5 million for the road repairs and infrastructure improvements.
There are many things we?d like to see done in Norwich that have to take a back seat simply to sustain the quality of life here that has already slipped considerably.
But paying for infrastructure, roads and teachers is what government has to do. These are top priorities. Until they can be paid for from the amount of money available through taxes or other city revenue sources, everything else we might like to do has to be classified a luxury. It can wait.
A letter to the editor published last week called me ?just plain ignorant? for referring to the closure and de-paving of Chelsea Parade North ? the sliver of street that sliced the northernmost edge of Chelsea Parade known as Veterans Park from the rest of the park ? as a pet project in my July 1 column.
I agree with the letter writers that we must honor our veterans, and that the change is an improvement to Veterans Park. But that wasn?t the issue. The issue is money, as in who pays for this work that can only be called a luxury given the city?s rather desperate financial state.
I would suggest that the veterans groups could have sponsored a fund-raising drive to pay for the work at Chelsea Parade. As residents, they?re aware of the city?s shortage of disposable income, and I?m sure the City Council approved the expense for the work with every good intention.
But just because there is credit available on the city?s credit card doesn?t mean the city should go deeper in debt than it already is.
John-Manuel Andriote, of Norwich, can be reached at johnmandriote@gmail.com, or visit his website at www.jmandriote.com

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Source: http://www.norwichbulletin.com/x997483202/Andriote-Changes-to-Chelsea-Parade-are-an-improvement-but-not-a-priority?rssfeed=true

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