Amherst GOP Chairman Calls for Spending Cuts

Brian D. Rusk, Chairman of the Amherst Republican Committee has said that Amherst Supervisor Kulpa and Councilman Lavin discussing new budget approvals in the future is clearly not enough.

Chairman Rusk stated: “This backhanded apology to Amherst taxpayers is clearly not enough. The Amherst Town Board has had enough time to make drastic cuts before the new January 1st budget deadline. Amherst overburdened taxpayers do not want an apology. We want the Town Of Amherst to live within the State of New York recommended tax cap of 3.3%

“Right now the average Amherst homeowner will face an 11.4% tax hike, 8 percent over the state tax cap of 3.3%. The $33 million new lighting expense, Westwood Park improvements and Boulevard Mall capital improvement expenses should be phased in over 10 years, not in one year.”

Chairman Rusk added: “The 200 overburdened taxpayers went to the Amherst Town Board meeting seeking a cut in spending, not a back handed apology. Kulpa and his all democrat town board should amend the 2024 budget now and pass an amendment to require the budget to be released and voted on before the election, and not a week after as Kulpa did.

“Now is the time for the Amherst Town Board to show courage and have an emergency budget put forth now before January 1st. Kulpa and the all democrat town board can start by cutting the 10 new patronage jobs he created in the past 5 years costing Amherst Taxpayers over $1 million per year. Taxpayers would not even feel those useless jobs being cut. Enough is enough.”