Just Sour Grapes

To the Editor:

In response to ex-selectman Joe Bojnowski’s letter of doom [dated] December 19 [“Borst Has No Mandate,” December 21], I would like to say I have seldom heard such sour grapes from a defeated politician. Joe Borst was not put in office by the IPN, he was elected by Newtown voters collectively. After all, it was the dissatisfaction created by the administration Mr Bojnowski served with that created the IPN. So, who is to really blame for his election defeat? Remember, losing by only a single vote is still a defeat. Mr Bojnowski has condemned Newtown as a whole to “drift aimlessly as the wind blows for the next two years” for Mr Borst’s failure to control the first “critical” vote of his first Board of selectman meeting. Mr Bojnowski has come to this foreboding conclusion in just the first 20 days of our new administration.

As far as Mr Mangiafico distancing himself from Mr Borst, that remains to be seen. Failure to carry a vote his way does not mean a bad decision on Mr Borst’s part. Just ask the new first selectman of Brookfield who also failed to carry a vote at his first Board of Selectman meeting. Also, Mr Bojnowski should be asking “himself” why Joe Borst whipped him and Herb Rosenthal in the election, not the readership of this paper.

Last I heard, Mr Borst has no ethics questions at all. Since Joe Borst was the one who brought attention to the matter himself and has since been cleared of any wrongdoing in the matter by our ethics committee, it appears to be a dead issue.

Finally, Herb Rosenthal did a pretty good job as first selectman and I recognize him for that. He probably could have done it without the support of yes men like yourself. Take credit for the good you did for Newtown and support the good in our new town leaders or kindly, “quietly,” fade away to obscurity for the good of all. Give Joe Borst the chance he deserves. His admirable service is longer than many others. He’s earned it.

Tom Catalina

59 Butterfield Road, Newtown                       December 31, 2007