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No More?

Submitted by Baer on Tue, 03/16/2010 - 2:30pm

If you've driven around Amherst lately, you've seen the NO MORE OVERRIDES signs in their hazardous yellow format.

No more overrides? First off, there have only been TWO overrides in the history of Amherst. Secondly, Proposition 2 1/2 was structured that towns would have to pass an occassional override by limiting increases below inflation rates.

Inflation for town services has averaged 3.8% since 1980, and even higher since the 90s. If we had no more overrides, then we would steadily have to eliminate teachers, police, firefighters, DPW, books, schools, libraries until there was nothing left. This is because inflation is higher than the 2.5% limit. We *have* to have an occasional override to catch up.

It's time for us to step up and balance the cuts with a modest override. $16/month is what it will cost the average Amherst homeowner to prevent the most drastic cuts.

Vote YES for Amherst!
http://voteyesforamerst.org

Jonathan O'Keeffe designed these great "No More..." signs to evoke what will actually happen if there really were no more overrides.

Click on a sign to print yours today!

Baer's blog

Cost

16 bucks

The cost of this override to the average Amherst homeowner next year will be $134/year (after tax deductions) or $11/month! That's just 37 cents per day to prevent the most drastic cuts! Vote YES for Amherst!

Override Supporters

Steve Abdow * Susan Abdow * Donna Abelli * Marjory Ackerman * Allison Ahearn * James Allan * Robin Allison * Emily Allyn * Arnie Alper * Reed Alper * Alfie Alschuler * Ericka Alschuler * Lisa Amato * Dan Anderson * Gregg Anderson * Gavin Andresen * Jess Andrews * Chris Appy * Katharine Appy * Katherine Appy * Barbara April * Marie Armentano * David Arnold * Catalina Arrubla * Ines Arrubla * Michael Ash * Jennifer Atkins * Jenny Atkins * Kate Atkinson .... click here for the full list of supporters

Quick Facts

Cost of the Override to avg Amherst homeowner: $11/month or 37 cents/day.
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Cost of the override to the average Amherst teacher as part of their salary giveback: $1,000/year or $83/month
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Amherst Schools jobs cut in 2009: 55
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Town of Amherst positions cut in 2008-2010: 60
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Amount of cuts 2008-2010: $7m
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Amherst Kids whose school is closing in 2010: 185
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Number of Overrides in Amherst History: 2
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Number of votes the 2007 Override lost by: 267
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Number of High School Teaching Positions cut since 2007: 33 of 116
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Number of High School Academic Electives to be Cut Next Year: 50%
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Amount less in taxes the average Amherst homeowner pays in 2010 compared to 2000 (Fed, State, Prop Taxes): $600
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The salary for a entry-level teacher and a mid-level teacher in Amherst public schools ranks 5th out of the 6 surrounding districts.
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Tax Rate for Amherst is $16.95. Springfield is $19.50, Pelham is $18.34, Shutesbury is $18.76, Greenfield is $17.68, East Longmeadow is $17.38, Russell is $17.87, Heath is $16.98.
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