Ready To Lead Newtown

To the Editor:

William “Bill” Furrier and I have finalized our plans this week to seek the Independent Party of Newtown’s endorsement for positions on the Board of Selectmen. Bill Furrier will seek the endorsement to run for the selectman position and I plan to seek the IPN endorsement to run for first selectman.

A number of events over the last few years have shaped our belief that we can provide the leadership and expertise that Newtown so desperately needs and desires. These events all involve the lack of accountability, the absence of checks and balances in town government, and the unwillingness of town officials to conduct public business in a transparent manner. While some of these events involve Fairfield Hills, we want to make it clear that we feel these issues are symptomatic of the way Newtown has been governed for some time by the leaders from the major political parties who now ask you to support their handpicked candidates for local office.

Town officials seem to accept no accountability for errors in management, judgment, and faulty implementation. Last week’s finger-pointing over who caused cost overruns at Fairfield Hills is a classic example of “don’t blame me,” despite ample proof that the issues were caused by the town trying to skirt the environmental, health, and labor laws. Thank goodness for involved citizens who rightfully asked questions and objected to the illegal behaviors because the current candidates for the Board of Selectmen simply said and did nothing, or worse, belittled those who sought the truth.

Bill Furrier brings to the team a wealth of experience, including ten years on the Public Building and Site Commission, most recently as its chairman. He currently works as a development engineer in research and development for a multinational corporation. Given the number of anticipated building projects facing Newtown, Bill’s experience will go a long way on the Board of Selectmen to prevent the type of issues that the town has experienced over the last two years.

I have over 40 years of experience in corporate management supervising annual budgets in the tens of millions. I have served on the Economic Development Commission, and I am currently serving as a Newtown Police Commissioner. I have had the pleasure of holding the treasurer and chairman positions for the Newtown Family Counseling Center, and I am currently the treasurer for the Staffing Association of Southern New England.

In 2007, the Independent Party of Newtown, a coalition of concerned citizens who are Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters, began the process of change to put Newtown on the right track. Bill Furrier and I are determined to continue to implement the changes the community desires.

Over the next few months, we will be seeking community input, writing about the issues facing Newtown, and how the coalition of concerned citizens of the Independent Party Newtown plan to solve these issues with accountability, checks and balances, and transparency. We believe we have the Experience You Can Count On, and we plan to implement Change You Can Trust.

Bruce W. Walczak

12 Glover Avenue, Newtown                                             July 15, 2009