Council Seeks Democrats For Charter Revision Panel

By Steve Bigham

If you are a Newtown Democrat and would like to see changes in the way Newtown is governed, Joe Borst wants to talk to you.

Mr Borst, a member of the Legislative Council, is recruiting citizens to fill seats on the soon-to-be-created Charter Revision Commission. The board is expected to begin studying the charter later this summer.

But only three Democrats have expressed interest as of this week and time is running out. Seven Republicans and two Independents have already expressed interest. A total of nine members will serve on the commission.

“We need Democrats in order to go forward,” Mr Borst said Tuesday. “We want more than three Democrats to choose from. I think it’s only proper.”

Normally, a Charter Revision Commission is given 16 months to complete the project under state law. The Legislative Council is looking to have any proposed charter changes on the November, 2001 ballot.

“The more time it takes to get the committee together the less time it will have to do its job,” said Mr Borst, who heads the council’s charter revision subcommittee.

Most Newtown residents are eligible to serve on the board with members of the Board of Selectmen and Legislative Council being the exceptions.

“There have got to be some retired or semi-retired people who would like to see some change that improves the government of Newtown,” Mr Borst said.

Interested in serving? Call Joe Borst at 426-4396 or the first selectman’s office at 270-4201.