As Jonathan Crimmins penned in his Op Ed piece on 12 August, what IS Brunswick doing so wrong? Wake up Brunswick Residents, demand that the Town Council represent all citizens of this town not just their personal interests. Our taxes continue to go up and up and what do we get in return? Brunswick used to be one of the best small towns in America, sadly no more. Here are some reasons I’ve observed.

First: The school budget is out of control. Many of us are on fixed incomes and, if we are really lucky, get a 1 percent cost of living increase a year. How is it that the school board thinks it is appropriate to demand a 5 percent-plus increase to its budget yearly? Who gets that big an increase anymore? I am bewildered by the increased costs, yet our school enrollment has continued to decline over the last several years. Brunswick schools are rated only mediocre as well. And, oh by the way, the schools are in disrepair. So where is the money going? I’d say it isn’t a very good investment as the return on our dollars isn’t productive.

Second: The latest Town Council quandary is them whole heartedly agreeing to purchase the old Cumberland Farms property at the corner of Pleasant and Mill Streets. And do what with it? Spend more money to tear down the old building and then spend more money to landscape the property? Wow, I suspect this will become the same as the great investment in the old Times Record building. The $250K allocated for the purchase of the Cumberland Farms building would be much better spent fixing our sidewalks, many of which are so hazardous that I can’t see how anyone with a walking disability or wheelchair bound could even transit on them. They are a civil lawsuit waiting to happen.

Third: The Downeaster — and don’t get me wrong, I love trains, have been fascinated with them most of my life — was supposed to bring millions (tens of millions) of dollars to our quaint town and hundreds of jobs and hundreds of newly built homes. Hmmm, guess my eyesight must be really bad, because all I see is the continued rise in my property tax bill, no huge influx of tax money, jobs or houses. And yet the Town Council continues to roll over whenever the Downeaster (NNEPRA) won’t do something that would be a benefit for the town and all the residents of the town. Hey, the train is a good thing, but don’t let it drain our nice quiet town to the level of a toxic industrial site. Ask NNEPRA where is that influx of tax money, jobs and new homes that were supposed to help our town recover from the loss of the BNAS? As best I can tell, the few who actually take the train; do so to go spend their money in Boston, not travel to Brunswick to spend money.

I could go on, but you get the idea. This once thriving small town is losing its allure, businesses are moving to Topsham and people are moving out. Rise up, Brunswick residents, demand the Town Council spend our tax dollars wisely, not whimsically.

Sandy Buckles,

Brunswick