The Role Of Leadership

To the Editor:

It is refreshing and encouraging to see elected officials assume a role of leadership. That is exactly what our first Selectman Pat Llodra did at the budget summit meeting. Mrs Llodra offered up a $500,000 savings to the budget from the part of the budget referred to as the town side.

Feel free to use any cliché that is appropriate, “stepping up to the plate” or “taking the bull by the horns,” but the voters should understand she reacted as one hopes an elected official will when the political landscape is filled with storm clouds.

While Mrs Llodra could not specifically tell the Legislative Council what to do with the money, it’s clear she had the interests of the town at stake. She has perhaps listened to the voters and realized if that money was transferred over to the Board of Education side of the budget it might, in fact, calm the waters.

With the other reductions in spending on the Board of Education side that $500,000 may have just bridged the gap to keep the educational system in Newtown on an even keel. No drastic improvements mind you, but at least no increase in class size or a reduction in programs.

So what did the Legislative Council do? We’ll have to refer to the old cliché about the “train leaving the station.”

As Mrs Llodra stepped down from the high school auditorium stage, it was as if she was leaving the platform at an Amtrak station ready to board the Lake Shore Limited. And still on the platform were members of the council waving furiously as the train disappeared from sight. To be fair, some of the LC members were smart enough to know they should probably be taking the invitation to board, but the majority did not. Instead the LC members blissfully reasoned they had just what they needed to get the referendum passed. A tax savings of a half percent. So a taxpayer who is presented a $10,000 tax bill will save 50 bucks.

Yes, that should make a big difference at the polls.

Never mind that people took time out on Thursday to explain they voted No because the BOE budget was too low. And some who voted Yes, now wished they had voted No. It is clear those who voted No because they wanted some increase in the BOE budget now know this a viable strategy. Perhaps the turnout will increase as those education supporters who thought they were in a no-win scenario will come out and vote No until some money is restored.

Here was a chance to increase the Board of Ed budget without changing the overall number for the town, and it was ignored.

To be fair the Legislative Council is not being totally inattentive; there seems to be a faction chomping at the bit to close a school. Here’s an idea: let’s have one school with four different six hour sessions –round the clock. Think of the savings.

Mark Mockovak

3 Nelson Lane, Newtown                                                 April 30, 2010