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Allen Nitschelm

Allen publishes Acton Forum
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Blog Posts

Acton's two major budget challenges this year

Acton has to address its OPEB liability this year, plus carefully negotiate a new round of teacher contracts.

Where Does This Lead?

Acton is not immune to the problems facing everyone else: sky-high costs and unfunded obligations. But we have another burden: high property taxes.

Is the Prius worth it?

Many Actonians drive Priuses. Are they worth it? Does their environmental benefits, if any, outweigh their costs? Here's the answer.

How we can achieve national health insurance

It is possible to find common ground in the healthcare debate, unless the Democrats are trying to scuttle the private healthcare industry.

Chief Justice John Roberts got the Obamacare ruling right

The Supreme Court ruled that not buying health insurance was taxable. Not a big surprise. The real decision will be made this November.

FREE STUFF from your government

Should government provide free college educations?

The Problem with Town Meeting's Police Union Contract Approval

Town Meeting routinely approves long-range spending with not enough information presented.

The Town That Can't Say No

Acton continues to spend money on wasteful projects, including old "historical" buildings that serve no useful purpose and cost millions to keep up. Where does it end?

Boxborough Does Town Meeting Right

Boxborough's Annual Town Meeting seems well attended with valuable voter participation, in contrast to Acton's Town Meeting which is not well attended and has just token, "rubber stamp" participation.

Our Democracy in Jeopardy

Governments are spending more than their revenues but won't cutback on their promises. Is what is happening in Europe going to happen in the US? In Massachusetts?

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