Mayor Vetoes Underride

In accordance with Section 2-8 of the Charter of the Town of Amesbury, I am this day,
the 1st of October 2007, vetoing and returning to you the Council's measure 2007-076,
which would place a $1,000,000 underride on the ballot of the November 6, 2007
election.

I am vetoing this measure of the Municipal Council because should it pass, it would
undermine the fiscal stability of the town and be detrimental to our ability to deliver
essential municipal services. I am also vetoing this measure to make clear and
unambiguous my position on this matter. Let there be no doubt in the minds of the voters
of Amesbury that I am opposed to this underride.

I have heard the argument that vetoing this would be "thwarting the voice of the people".
That is a false argument. This is not an act driven by general citizens of Amesbury. This
is an act chosen by the council majority with Councilor Tom Iaccobucci as the author,
Councilors Michelle Thone and Donna McClure as the sponsors. It disturbs me that the
Council members advocating to let the voters decide this monumental decision already
have the power to implement the stated goal of their underride through the budget
process but have chosen not to because they know the dire consequences of such actions
and want to transfer that responsibility off of themselves. They also know that they would
have to specifically identify what services to eliminate in order to reduce the budget and
would have to answer directly to the citizens impacted by those decisions.

By issuing this veto today, I have given the Council the opportunity to override my veto
and put this matter to a vote on the November 6 ballot. I am fully aware that the council
majority has consistently voted as a bloc and has the votes to put this matter on a ballot,
either November 6 or as a special election. Given that situation, I see no need to spend
more taxpayer money for a special election.

Knowing this measure will be on the ballot, I have the full confidence and trust in the
voters of Amesbury that they will make the right decision for our future and defeat this
ballot question being pursued by the council majority. The voters of Amesbury have put
their trust in me to lead this community and to make prudent and mature financial
decisions for the long term fiscal stability of the town. I believe that voters will agree
with me that the best course for controlling taxes and delivering excellent municipal
services is through professional management and solid decision-making on a day-to-day
basis, not through a draconian style cut that dismantles our ability to deliver essential
municipal services.

Again, I expect the council majority will override my veto and put this measure on the
ballot. However, I also believe that the voters are ready to put an end to the agenda and
tactics of this council majority, and move Amesbury forward to a positive and strong
future by rejecting this measure at the polls.

Therefore, I hereby VETO 2007-076, a measure to place a $1,000,000 underride on the
November 6, 2007 ballot.

Thatcher W. Kezer III
Mayor