Again, though, this piece, reprinted from the Daily Local News, when they called Mr. DiGiorgio on his seemingly waivering position on open space preservation, fails to address the fiscal arguments for continuing to support open space — and to be frank, renders a great deal of this argument into the category of “me thinks he doth protest too much.”

If Mr. DiGiorgio were a true fiscal watchdog, as he portends, then he would be worried about the total tax burden on the county’s taxpayers, not just what he can be blamed for. I, and my colleagues on the Democratic ticket, are quite focused on the total tax burden and the long-term costs for the county’s taxpayers, not just what might get us through the next election cycle, which is what seemingly has guided so many fiscal decisions in recent years.

I do welcome Mr. DiGiorgio’s decision to open up a dialogue, one that will allow the county’s voters to see what sort of choices they face this November.

Controller, Val DiGiorgio, on open-space remarks

By Val DiGiorgio, Guest Columnist

Recently, the Daily Local News printed an editorial about the county’s long-standing, bipartisan open-space plan. As part of the column, some of my recent comments, on how to conserve taxpayer dollars in a recession, were taken out of context.

Both as a private citizen active in numerous community organizations and as the county controller, I have supported the county’s open space program. In addition, both as a private citizen and as county controller, I have looked for ways to save taxpayers’ money — especially in this recession.

The question for serious public officials and citizens concerned about continuing our county’s high quality of life is: how do we balance our plans and needs with shrinking tax dollars?

As controller, it is my daily mission to protect and fight for Chester County taxpayers. During the budget hearings last year, I presented a comprehensive plan, listing a menu of options to the commissioners to avoid raising taxes in this time of economic crisis. Included among several options was my request to consider deferring a portion of the open-space program in calendar year 2009 only. My hope in presenting a menu of options to the commissioners was to spark an honest and open debate over the budget and to find cost savings in county government to minimize tax increases in a time when taxpayers are losing their jobs and homes.

I also hoped to increase taxpayer awareness on how much our government programs are costing our taxpayers. Open space, while important and worthy, is no exception. As controller, I have attempted to determine how much our $20 million per year commitment to this program has cost us in terms of debt service. For example, at current interest rates, each year of this program costs taxpayers up to an additional $1 million per year in additional interest on our bonds, even with our county’s top-of-the-line AAA bond rating. Taxpayers need to know what this initiative, and other programs, cost them each year.

During my many years of government service, I have rarely, if ever, seen a program that someone did not think was beyond examination. Unfortunately, leaders who suggest that we should not spend more than we can afford — in other words, that government must live within the means of the taxpayer — are unfairly characterized as mean-spirited and short-sighted. Every program is seen as vital to someone; yet, all need to be not only accountable, but also seen in the balance of what taxpayers can afford.

In these troubling economic times, every program (even one as worthy as open space) must be evaluated, examined and reviewed — every program. This is why my testimony and the Daily Local News’ editorial could be very beneficial, if it leads to a thoughtful, reasonable discussion without personal attacks.

I remain committed to the value of a sound open-space program. In addition, I will not shirk from duty as controller to be the fiscal watchdog for the county and, in the process, make our government more open, efficient and accountable. And, yes, I and my staff will continue to fight for taxpayers every day.

But the fact is congress did the best thing in thr long term by taking the governments hands out of this and letting the free market let these banks and credit companies go under, letting the free market take care of this so housing prices can finally come down to earth. At least you’re financial future is no longer in the hands of Dubya, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, and all the other war mongers that already half-destroyed the economy by plunging us into Iraq and (unfortunately) many more to follow.

What has Obama accomplished?
1.Elected to the Senate (non executive role) and within months started campaigning for president.
2.Voted against SB 1082 in his state in 2003 which would have protected babies that survive abortion attempts. His own peers on the federal level didn’t even touch that.
3.He was the chairperson for the Health and Human Services Committee during that vote, so he understood what he was voting against.
4.Associated with a known terrorist who is unapologetic about his terrorism.
5.Promises to raise income taxes. Don’t be fooled by his promise not to raise “capital gains taxes” on small businesses and start-ups. They don’t pay capital gains taxes, they pay income taxes. Ask anyone who owns a small business.

Sarah Palin and John McCain complement each other and can learn from each other. Where John is weak in experience, she is strong, and where she is weak in experience, he is strong. For the first time I see Obama’s campaign in trouble.

The contrast in tickets with the Dems couldn’t be greater. The big story to me is how close the election will be.