A Reputation To Uphold

 To the Editor:

My family and I moved here five years ago. We spent two years prior to our move looking for a town that we felt reflected the level of standard in education and community that we wanted for our family. We know, like ourselves, that is why most people have moved into Newtown. 

Two years ago, this community recognized the importance of education and growth by approving the construction of the Reed Intermediate School. That level of standard is what this town has built a solid reputation on. A reputation that has contributed to the steady growth of new families moving into a town wanting a balanced quality of life and education for their children –– an education that is culturally balanced with the arts as part of the curriculum. That standard of education that Newtown has to offer is what has increased all our property values.

I find it interesting how we have come full circle. In the past few weeks many hours have been spent trying to convince the Board of Finance and the Legislative Council that passing the budget with out additional cuts is the right thing to do –– that an additional cut would adversely affect the level of standard that clearly sets this town apart from other towns.

At present, the schools are faced with an increase of class sizes with all the additional children attending them. Cutting this budget is not going to stop all the new home construction that our town has been confronted with. The people who govern this town have the responsibility to manage the growth of it! The tax burden that the residents of this town are faced with will always be an issue until new commercial development is brought in to this town. Until that happens, this school budget will be challenged for years to come. Now residents are faced with revaluation of their homes and the school budget is going to be penalized for that. What is the objective here? A school budget is not where we need to take a stand! The future of this town is faced with much harder decisions such as, how and when are we going to increase the commercial tax base in Newtown?

The people of Newtown do understand the importance of education and the positive effect it has on the future of our children. It is the responsibility of this community and the people who govern this town not to except anything other than that level of standard and progress that the families of Newtown have previously recognized. If the budget gets further cuts, it will clearly send a message that this town is not capable of maintaining a level of standard that it has built a reputation on.

On April 22, the families of Newtown need to pass this budget and send a message that it was the right thing to do! 

Concerned,

Jackie Himmelfarb

11 Kent Road, Newtown                                                    April 1, 2003