Who’s minding the store?

Along with shepherding citizens safely through fields of uncertainty, other government practices continue during this pandemic in order to keep towns, states, and the nation functioning as best can be. Focusing on government when a deadly virus commands attention is not easy, though.

At our local level, numerous town meetings have been canceled in order to accommodate the “Stay Safe-Stay Home” directive from our governor. The few meetings that have convened are done in a manner to accommodate social distancing, and many members have weighed in via phone — as has the public been invited to do at public meetings.

It is not an ideal situation for elected and assigned officials, or most of the public, which may be uncomfortable speaking in a situation where body language and facial expressions of those they address are not apparent. Yet, it does allow voices to be heard.

So, back to that store. Who is watching it? Trustworthy media, from this community newspaper to national news sources, is invaluable when opportunists may be watching from the sidelines to slip into the shop, unnoticed.

In recent days, you will have seen articles at newtownbee.com regarding the budget process, to name just one item on our radar.

Worrisome to many, and rightly so, is that this upcoming week when we normally would have cast our votes on the town budget and various questions, that is not an option, due to the governor’s order affecting our town referendum.

In March, with state primaries delayed at least until June 2, First Selectman Dan Rosenthal suggested Newtown’s annual budget referendum also be delayed to that date. This was brought to the attention of the Legislative Council, whose authority is needed to shift that date, along with permission from the state level. That was the plan, until an Executive Order later that month allowed town legislative bodies to approve town budgets without voters’ input.

If there was any question as to what this order meant, it was clarified in April, when the governor’s Executive Order (7S) addressing this issue “effectively prohibited any municipal budget referendums or town meetings, and authorized municipal bodies like Newtown’s Legislative Council to approve qualified capital authorizations that would otherwise need to be approved by voters at referendum,” as First Selectman Rosenthal stated to The Newtown Bee. The first selectman did receive confirmation of this, mid-April — prior to yet another delay, pushing off state primaries to August 11.

A canceled referendum is disturbing. But the past has generally proven that Newtown’s elected officials are honest, working for the good of the majority. The first selectman’s proposal of a zero-increase budget in light of this referendumless Spring indicates a respect for Newtown’s citizens. The public’s input is still sought, as well, through call-ins at meetings, calls to officials’ homes and offices, or through e-mails.

Holding accountable any actions at odds with how our town is meant to function, and keeping the community informed as this plays out has been a priority at The Newtown Bee.

We have an eye on Newtown’s storefront, and while the lack of a referendum makes the doorknob a little wobbly, so far it appears secure. Can the same be said for government at all levels? Your support of tried and true news is invaluable, now more than ever. The news you need, needs you.

Preventing break-ins that undermine democracy is an ongoing goal for all who gather the news, no matter what shiny objects may distract.

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