Troubles at the Nottingham Community Newsletter

Will this be the last issue?

The May/June issue of the Nottingham Community Newsletter may be its last - at least for the year, as the Board of Selectmen has decided to give it no more funding this year. The newsletter was enacted by a warrant article approved by the voters in 1999. 

Because of the 4% tax cap, it seems unlikely that the newsletter’s funding will be restored as part of the 2025 budgeting process. At this point, the most likely way funding could be restored is through a warrant article.

Not only was the May/June issue potentially the last issue, it was criticized by the Nottingham Republican Committee, who emailed this statement to their followers:

“The article that was submitted by this committee to the recent Nottingham Newsletter was heavily edited by the members of the editorial staff. Maybe it was too controversial for some on that staff. Here is the full article as submitted for publication. Judge for yourself if you think it was inappropriate for the newsletter, another attempt at censorship or simply a lack of space for the article.”

Here’s what was removed:

“Last December many property owners in Nottingham were stunned when they opened their property tax bills to find large increases. The subject became the talk of the town for the months that followed. During the recent town election, a majority of voters expressed their displeasure with the large tax increases by rejecting the proposed school and town operating budgets along with various warrant articles. Every voter has their own reasons for rejecting both budgets. Some townspeople want you to believe that a handful of supporters of the "Free State Project'' caused this situation. Apparently if you voted no on both budgets you are now labeled as a  "Free Stater" in the eyes of those who don't have a problem with paying higher taxes. The simple truth of the matter is these unexpected large tax increases cause more financial stress upon families and those on fixed incomes in an already difficult economy. Voters saw an opportunity to push back and did so. "Bidenomics" is an economic disaster and has only driven the cost of virtually everything we buy to levels we have never seen before. A couple of town elected officials are seen driving luxurious expensive cars. Of course they have that right. The question is should these people be making tax decisions that could force someone to extend the life of their 5-10 year old vehicle or delaying the purchase of other expensive items for their households because they can't afford ever increasing property taxes along with exorbitant prices and interest rates? The elitist in town obviously would not have problems with increased living costs and have no clue about how struggling residents live. There must be a balance between the two and  that starts with electing the right people to represent us in government.”