Borough Budget Vote Questioned

To the Editor:

On May 18 I attended a meeting of the Borough of Newtown which was held to determine whether borough taxes would be increased for the coming year. The 20 people who attended the meeting voted 11 to 9 in favor of raising the budget. I believe the vote was improper because no one there was asked to give formal identification and proof of residency in the borough. Consequently, because of this and because of the small attendance at the meeting, I am requesting a revote on the budget.

I called Joan Crick, the borough warden, and she told me a revote was out of the question, because she said she could identify everyone at the meeting. However, I pointed out to her that I and my neighbors were first-time voters for the borough budget who she couldn’t identify. But, in spite of this, she said a revote would not be taken on this budget and promised formal identification would be required in the future. My question is why should we wait until next year to correct the problem? We have time to correct it now.

I subsequently contacted the state attorney’s office, The Newtown Bee, and the state citizen’s hotline on voting matters. Everyone I spoke to said the town selectman should handle this matter, but upon requesting a revote I was told the borough was a self-governing unit.

I am requesting an immediate revote and ask the 700+ residents of the borough to also request that the vote be reconsidered. Additionally, I am requesting the town selectman become involved in this matter.

It is ironic that Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut’s 72nd Secretary of State, recently visited Middle Gate and Hawley elementary schools to tell students how important it is to exercise their voting rights when they come of age. As reported in The Newtown Bee, she said, “Voting is a right that our ancestors died for.” She continued, “It is a right that today we all often take for granted. Voting is a key way to make change in our society.” Do we tell the kids if a voting process is incorrect, it doesn’t matter and we will fix it next time?

I was denied the right to a legal vote in this matter and am asking other residents of the Borough of Newtown to contact me by phone or by e-mail to discuss this matter.

Respectfully,

Victor Krochta

8 The Boulevard, Newtown                                          May 22, 2004