To the Editor:

It’s worth remembering a time when compromise was admired as a political skill and a necessary ingredient in any democratic process. Today, compromise is widely viewed as a mark of disloyalty or even low character — an act that invites derision, anger, or even threats of retaliation. Sadly, this is what we’re seeing on the national stage.

Newtown doesn’t have to succumb to the extremism we see so often in our daily news. We can and should do better. To be more specific, we need to compromise on important issues like commercial and residential development. Our town must continue to evolve if we want to remain a vibrant, friendly, family-oriented community. An uncompromising, “not in my backyard” attitude toward future development will only exacerbate the extreme housing shortage and deprive us of new business opportunities. Nationally, we need 6.5 million more homes than are currently available, according to news sources. Here in Newtown, aging residents need downsized senior housing and supported living facilities. We also need apartments, condos, and starter homes for first-time home buyers and folks who are at the beginning of their careers.

In terms of commercial development, we are competing with many neighboring communities who want to attract new businesses. Blindly advocating a NIMBY approach will send companies elsewhere, eliminating new job opportunities and the potential for tax relief.

A compromise approach to development calls for meaningful give-and-take between developers and townspeople. It’s not impossible to preserve natural and/or historic features when planning a new development. Smart growth strategies could even enhance a property’s value with features like bike paths, play areas, or historical markers. Let’s not be close-minded to all possibilities.

Compromise is hard work, and it takes time — to delve into issues, identify common ground, and negotiate with fairness and good faith. We don’t need to mimic the accusatory, grievance-based partisanship that we see on the news. We can do better. And Newtown deserves our best efforts.

Tim Snyder

Newtown