*The Redding Pilot endorsements

Hindsight has proven the finance board was too optimistic in estimating Georgetown Land Development project revenues and, in turn, offsetting taxes with fund balance money in order to keep taxes down that third year in a row. However, many other factors, primarily a bad economy — which meant other sources of revenue were also down, from the decrease in the grand list to money earned on investments — were not within the control of the board. The ill timing of the revaluation was also not in the board’s control. Because of the timing, many homes were valued higher than they were before the revaluation went into effect.

It is to the credit of every member on the finance board that the town is now looking at a respectable fund balance once again; and that the town’s credit worthiness is still considered very good by bidders, as evidenced by the recent number of bidders and the interest rate the town got on the short-term loan which was recently refinanced.

Some candidates blame the majority on the board for all of the ills of the town and promise more checks and balances. But after the town faced its fiscal crisis, improved financial controls were put in place. The real control for this board, however, is the taxpayer. Taxpayers approve or disapprove budgets. They also elect members to the board.

The issue is not what political party has a majority on the board. For many years Alvin Ruml, a Democrat, chaired a finance board with a Republican majority. Board members worked well together, and, yes, they used the fund balance to offset taxes, many believing that the fund balance, rainy day fund, surplus — whatever you want to call it — should be used to offset taxes whenever feasible. This was common practice until the most recent financial crisis.

The issue today is who is best qualified for the board? It makes no difference whether that person is a Democrat, Republican or unaffiliated voter.

The best choice for Redding is Frank DeSalvo, a man who devotes countless hours to representing the finance board on the Region 9 financial oversight committee and who brings his financial expertise running his own company to the table, and Ward Mazzucco, an attorney and a consensus builder, which would be a plus for the board — both are running for the six-year seats; and Rand Guffey for the four-year seat. Mr. Guffey has been on the board a year and now knows the ropes, so he can continue to bring his considerable knowledge of finance to the board.

Even though voters may only vote for two, four will be elected to the Redding school board. Jess Gaspar, Ed Miller, James Barickman and Lew Goldberg have served the board well and should continue to have seats on the board.

The toughest race to call is for town treasurer. Incumbent Margaret “Peg” O’Donnell certainly has the expertise, but we disagree with her assessment in recent months of the town’s debt. She says it is her job to advise the finance board about how it should handle its debt, but sometimes she seems to forget that she is just an adviser, not a decider.

In her favor, she has competently handled the other aspects of her job.

Mr. Bielawa has the financial expertise as well and brings to the table a thorough knowledge of the town and how it works, in addition to how the legislature works.

As treasurer, neither candidate can do much beyond what state statute allows, and that includes how the town may invest its money.

Mr. Bielawa would provide another perspective to the town’s Long Range Financial Planning Committee, which the treasurer chairs. He has expertise in the area of infrastructure thanks to his engineering background.

Taxpayers would be served well by either candidate but we’re giving a slight edge to Mr. Bielawa.