Buckley’s budget

Sure would be nice if the editorial management of our local newspaper showed at least some pretense of objectivity and analysis regarding incumbent Mayor Gavin Buckley, but then you read the “Our Say” opinion piece and their slobbering support of him – and you know where 2021 is going (The Capital, April 16).

I’ll focus on two lines that really stood out. After opening praise for Buckley’s initial budget and big tax increase, the editorial tells readers to expect complaints from “every Republican, and some Democrats, thinking it might be fun to be mayor.” This from a newspaper proud to speak to power, while being dismissive of any critics to its favorite son. Anyone challenging Buckley just wants to have fun?

The second line follows various excuses which actually undermine the editorial, mentioning lockdown pressures and sustained personnel costs in outlying years offset by hopeful recovery growth. “More so, no one wants to get rid of people who just worked through the worst of the pandemic spread of COVID-19.”

Annapolis is not supposed to be a jobs program but a municipality providing services where the backbone is people. There is nothing wrong with asking each year if we can support the numbers we have and do you really think there won’t be more hiring?

Whether times are great or horrible, Annapolis never “gets rid of ” anyone — with 2009 a stark exception when the lights couldn’t even be kept on. Those of us who have warned about budgetary trend lines are met with this same overused device in place of debate.

Taxpayers may continue to be used to prop up Annapolis management, but they should certainly be made aware that they are not really in charge and their newspaper certainly isn’t going to back them.

Michael Dye, Annapolis

Vice chair, Annapolis Republican Central Committee