The JI has a recent article regarding one of the Republican's most prized campaign promises and how they, despite their many claims that it will protect taxpayer money, don't even understand the concept.
Republicans' attempt to apply "performance-based accounting" methods to the town budget has become more convoluted than expected, as the practice's definition doesn't line up with what directors describe.
Town Manager Scott Shanley explained Tuesday that there are several terms being used interchangeably by town staff and elected officials when, in fact, they mean different things.
Despite the remainder of the article (which paints a rather rosy depiction of the Republicans' ineptitude), watching the rebroadcast of the last Board of Directors meeting clearly demonstrates that the Republican majority is far more concerned with spouting off (incorrect) rhetoric than actually improving Manchester. Coupled with their recent request that the town attorney review potential "conflicts of interest" restrictions in advance of their blight ordinance (remember: Republicans Cheri Pelletier and Mark Tweedie are landlords and are - according to recently enacted ethics guidelines -prevented from considering and voting on legislation pertaining to same), it signals that the next two years will be filled with empty promises, deception and questionable ethical practices.
