Legislative Council Candidate:

Why I Am Running

To the Editor:

I am pleased to have been endorsed by the Independent Party of Newtown [IPN] to run for Legislative Council District 2 in November. I hope you will support me in November, as you did four years ago when I ran for the Police Commission. My success in working collaboratively to do the peoples work equips me to be a productive contributor on the council.

For the last four years, I have been fulfilling my promise to re-energize and focus the Police Commission collaboratively with the other commissioners.

Our accomplishments are many. We have implemented: (1) a traffic calming process, (2) a new review process for the police chief, (3) an exit interview to learn more about why officers leave the force, (4) an extensive traffic safety program and a specialized traffic unit to enforce speed limits, (5) a more open dialogue with the police union, (6) development of a long-range facilities plan, (7) a process to reorganize the structure of the command, and (8) a laser focus on achieving performance goals that we set annually for both the department and the commission.

We have accomplished all this by focusing on the safety needs of the community while leaving politics at the door. If elected, I will bring this same energy and philosophy to the Legislative Council.

First and foremost, partisan politics must be set aside as council members focus on the needs of all our residents, not just their supporters. Issues should be thoroughly discussed in open meetings and the council must be open to hearing the voters.

Second, I will encourage my fellow council members to continue the process started this year, at the suggestion of an IPN council member, to set specific goals to accomplish during our council term. I will work in a cooperative fashion with other council members to accomplish those goals, and ensure the council provides annual progress reports to the voters.

Third, I will support and advocate for creation of a nonpartisan Charter Revision Commission to thoroughly review the current town charter. The Legislative Council must be open and willing to make changes in the Charter to meet today’s changing needs. Among the items I would advocate be reviewed would be the role of Fairfield Hills.

Fourth, the council should continue its efforts to become more involved in the Capital Improvement Plan and the annual budget, as again supported by IPN council members. Consistent with the actions of current IPN council members, I will support bringing efficiencies and new ways of doing work for both the municipal and school budgets, and having the council take a more active role in this work. I will actively support quality schools that will prepare our youth to succeed in today society. Great schools protect our property values and our quality of life.

Bruce Walczak

12 Glover Avenue, Newtown                                   September 7, 2011