Thursday, October 10, 2019
www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 22, Number 33
Officials debate use of surplus By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
In heated political times, local’s books promote message of peace By Nick Carroll The Citizen
Like many Americans, Berlin resident Bob Dornfried is saddened to see how politically polarized the country has become in recent years. And he’s doing his part to bridge the divide. The longtime cartoonist has produced two books; both taking a whimsical look at the current political climate, while promoting a message of love and understanding. “I’ve been through decades of elections – with Reagan in 1980 as my first – and I was dismayed at the divisiveness of the 2016 presidential election, which continued into Trump’s presidency,” Dornfried said. “But the hatred and demonizing leading up to the 2018 elections was too much … We were living in a society of hate and I wanted to send a message about that.” In Dornfried’s “What to do in Orangutan Zoo,” which he wrote, illustrated and self-
published, readers encounter such characters as President O’Llama, Hillary Clintuna, KanDornfried Yak West, Nancy Peloseagull and Kiwi Anne Conway. The star of the book, however, is Orangutan – depicting President Trump – who urges the quarreling animals to set aside their differences for the benefit of their zoo home. “Part of the objective was to get parents and kids to read the book, hopefully together,” Dornfried said. “Kids respond to animals and it made sense with Democrat donkeys, Republican elephants, and the flexibility to represent public figures as animal derivatives. And lastly, one of the derogatory terms used against the president was an orange orangutan, so it all came together using animals and a zoo.”
While the book portrays the Trump character in a favorable light, Dornfried’s personal politics are not cut and dry. He describes himself as a lifelong Democrat, a “middle-of-the-road moderate.” “Before I would wear a MAGA hat. I would wear a hat with an American flag on it,” Dornfried said. “But there are things (Trump) is doing that I support. Not everything. His Twitter feed sometimes gets dicey.” When it comes to reader feedback, Dornfried said Trump supporters have had the most positive reaction to “What to do in Orangutan Zoo.”
Melania Trump was sent a copy, and soon after, a note from the first lady arrived at the Dornfried home. In it, she stated, in part: “Thank you for the thoughtful gift. I am so glad that we share a passion for the well-being of our Nation’s children.” See Dornfried, A8
doesn't raise their taxes too much ... to see that we had a $2.8 million surplus While deliberating an ap- was really disturbing bepropriation of surplus cause we wouldn't have funds to pay off short-term had a tax increase here if debt, Mayor Mark Kaczyn- we had that money in our ski said he’d like to use a hands, quite frankly,” he portion of the remaining said. money to issue a tax reKaczynski said the town’s bate for residents. overall fiscal health is The Town Council unani- strong enough that some mously voted to use of the approximately $1.4 $444,000 of the estimated million of surplus money $1.9 million of unallocated left can safety be diverted money leftover from the back to taxpayers. 2019 fiscal year to pay off "We have a pretty good the last of the town’s short-term bond anticipa- fund balance — we can do better, we can put a little tion notes. By town charbit more into savings. We ter, residents can vote to approve or deny the coun- do have some unfunded cil’s appropriation during pension liability, unfortua town meeting before the nately, as well. But sometimes you've got to give Oct. 15 council meeting. back to the people that are Kaczynski argued that opening their pockets," he some portion of the resaid. maining $1.4 million should be returned to tax- The total increase from the fiscal year 2019 budget payers, saying that the to the current 2020 budget council didn’t know that amounted to just under the town would have any leftover money as it craft- $2.3 million. No action was taken on Kaczynski’s ed the budget approved suggestion, though he dithis May — information rected Finance Director he said that could have Kevin Delaney to further prevented a mill rate ininvestigate the possibility, crease. including how much taxHe called the revelation payers could expect to refrustrating given the conceive from a rebate. tentious and drawn-out process that have charac- No clear answers on how — or if — money could terized the drafting of rebe dispersed cent budgets. "It was disturbing to me, because we tried very, very hard on the council to keep our mill rate low and obviously have a budget that is acceptable to everybody in town and
Delaney said there’s little precedent for towns taking such action. Consultation with corporation counsel suggests that municipalities lack the authority to See Surplus, A11