To the editor:
On the campaign trail, Jim Kelcourse continues to expand on his major issues of education and economic development. In finalizing their 2014 budgets in Salisbury, Newburyport and Amesbury, it was obvious that the communities had trouble meeting their obligations. Much of this can be blamed on the unfunded mandates for the school systems.
As vice president of the Amesbury City Council, Jim was called on to help address these problems. It is apparent to him that the out-years would only get worse if the existing paradigm is not changed. Just raising taxes year after year would not be an acceptable solution.
Jim is running to help solve the problems that cannot be wholly addressed at the municipal level. He believes, as do most educators, that the federal “core requirements” do not accomplish their goals and need to be replaced with a bottom-up program.
He also believes that economic development can solve two problems: (1) create new, high-paying jobs and (2) expand the existing tax bases without requiring tax increases.
Jim’s practical approach has drawn support from local businesses and we add our names to that list. As a councilor and a vice president of the Newburyport Rotary Club, Jim has a forum that provides feedback from local business owners. Jim recently received the endorsement of the nonpartisan National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). In Massachusetts, over a million employees work for NFIB employers. We are proud to show our support for Jim.
John and Linda Allison
Newburyport
