Support Your Resident State Trooper

Do we need a resident trooper in Barkhamsted? The answer is a definitive "Yes!" Knowing that a policeman is living in our community of Barkhamsted and not 30 miles away in Canaan is what we need and what we voted for. As a resident he will be there to help you in just a matter of minutes.

Let’s talk about his salary and your taxes. Some (but not all) town officials would have you believe that his salary has a major impact on our taxes. This is not true. His salary is abut $65,000—of which the state pays one third. If you do the proper math, you will find that his salary amounts to pennies per day per resident.

TFC John Bement is not just your very own policeman. He has wide experience in the law and in the area of municipal government (as a past selectman of Winsted). This is very valuable experience regarding when and how to apply the law. This is the kind of experience and expertise we need.

He not only lives here, but has recently built a new home for his family and is paying taxes too! We invited him to work and live in our community to protect us. Are we now going to ask him to leave—to save in reality pennies a day?

Being a policeman is one of the worst jobs. It is dangerous even in a small town such as ours. And he is the person who has to tell family members of horrible events or even deaths—so this news comes from a truly decent and caring person who lives amongst us, not from some unknown police person who works out of Canaan Barracks and lives in another town.

Do you know what "TFC" means in the State Trooper job description? It means Trooper First Class. Yes! That's what we have in one of our residents: a first class person who actually cares about your welfare—and especially your children, your rights and his duties—and who does his job in a manner that is uniform and fair to all.

Some actual facts (not opinions) are that when a town has a Resident Trooper program, property values increase and crime solving improves. Although it may be legal to eliminate Trooper Bement’s job, is it fair or even morally right to eliminate his job before his contract is even fulfilled? If it is a matter of money, are we really going to be "penny wise and pound foolish"?

This is our opportunity to support our local police. The events of 9/11 remind us all of the importance of fire and police protection. (They do put their lives on the line for us.) Do the right thing for our own welfare and vote to keep our friend, neighbor and resident "First Class" State Trooper. Please vote "Yes" to support the program.