Following an August 15 caucus, The Independent Party of Newtown announced it would not be fielding any candidates for local office this November.

Party Chairman Bruce Walczak issued a brief press release touting a number of areas where he said the party and its previously elected members affected positive developments in the community. But he said party members are opting to focus on the community's healing process following the 12/14 tragedy, instead of becoming politically involved this year. 

"Since the tragedy of December 14, like so many others in town, we have been directing our energies on the healing process for our town, focusing on efforts such as the Newtown Volunteer Task Force, Healing Newtown Through the Arts, the Newtown Action Alliance, The Volunteer Center, appointed boards and commissions, and many others," the IPN chairman wrote.

He said IPN members believe they "can best serve the community by continuing to direct much of our personal energies to the healing process, thus the IPN will not be offering a slate of candidates in the 2013 elections."

Mr Walczak said during the course of the election season this year, IPN members intend to offer their "thoughts on ways our government and schools can move forward by stimulating accurate and fact based discussions among the candidates and the public so voters will be well prepared to make informed decisions."  

 He said IPN members "look forward to continuing to provide constructive input on town and school issues over the next two years," and he invited interested residents to contact party representatives with questions or concerns during thius fall's election season.