What Newtown Thinks

About The New Town Hall

To the Editor:

I’d like to thank Paul Lundquist, a Newtown resident, and his firm The Harrison Group for the generous gift presented to the public Tuesday night at Edmond Town Hall.

The comprehensive townwide survey of 852 Newtown households conducted in October has produced an informative snapshot of taxpayer sentiment on a number of important issues facing Newtown. Clearly, this work represents significant value for the town and I hope that town leaders and residents alike will use this information wisely.

Regarding the new town hall, the findings substantiate what taxpayers have been saying since 2003. Only 18 percent of those surveyed support a new town hall. A whopping 57 percent think it is a poor use of our tax money or that something must be done to change the current course. The remaining 25 percent believe a new town hall would be nice to have, but is unnecessary. In my book, that’s a No, but others may interpret it differently. 

It is only my opinion and not a finding in the survey, that if a vote were held today on the new town hall, that all of the respondents except for the 18 percent would vote No. That’s 82 percent! And I believe many of the remaining 18 percent would change their mind if they knew that construction has not begun, that the new estimate is already $4.5 million over the original and that any worthwhile community or municipal project can replace the current town hall plan as soon as town leaders accept that it’s time to put their new town hall behind them.

If town leaders need more evidence that it’s time to change course, they need only to look at how respondents to the survey ranked 18 choices for development at Fairfield Hills. The town hall option came in 17th. Only the residential subdivision choice ranked lower. This is just another example of taxpayers continuing to reject the town hall idea at every opportunity, with every vote and every survey. At what point does it become morally wrong for town leaders to continue looking the other way?

Those readers like myself who represent that 82 percent of respondents should remember that they are not alone. Because the survey reflects Newtown’s true demographic proportions, 82 percent means 6,800 Newtown households agree with one of those three categories including 4,700 that think it is a poor use of our tax money or want the town to change course.

No one should assume that the town hall is a done deal simply because town leaders say so or because we are told we will lose millions if we change direction. We have learned none of that is true. Organized taxpayers always have options, and it’s only a matter of time before we find the one that will compel town leaders to act in accordance with their oath and on behalf of the people of Newtown.

Kevin Fitzgerald

24 Old Farm Hill Road, Newtown                           January 10, 2008