A Need To Restore Excellence

To Newtown

To the Editor:

“No one spends other people’s money as carefully as their own.” So stated Milton Friedman some years ago. Little did Friedman realize he had custom tailored this sentiment to the present Rosenthal/Rodgers administration of 2007 Newtown.

It seems our hard-earned dollars become devalued somehow upon entering the public coffers. Fiscal reality should be the opposite: our money should be afforded significant respect for what it embodies — our effort, our energy, our pride. We create wealth via toil and sweat. As we submit it to the tax collector, we forego goods and services for ourselves and our families in the interest of the common good. Our tax dollars should be revered, but they are taken for granted, neglected, and carelessly disbursed.

Consider our present Legislative Council-approved 5-Year CIP priorities:

*Newtown High School is desperately overcrowded. $41.6 million project gets underway in 2007-08 targeting capacity for medium growth by 2010 completion. Demographic forecasts indicate unprecedented growth in coming years. By targeting mid rather than high-end growth, we can bank on needing additional expansion soon after completion.

*Newtown Middle School is antiquated. Only $600,000 for the design phase of the $7.75 million HVAC and $2.9 million for the design phase of $32.4 million renovation of auditorium, library, and cafeteria is in 2011-12. $2.13 million renovation of the 20-year-old roof kicks off in 2010.

*HVAC renovations are scheduled for Hawley ($7.75 million), Sandy Hook ($3.8 million) and $132,000 design phase for Middle Gate ($1.3 million) in years 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. Hawley was approved by the BOE/BOF for year 2007-08 at $5.56 million but rejected by the Legislative Council. Delaying Hawley HVAC is costing taxpayers $2.14 million due to construction escalation. $2.14 million is enough to fund a new roof at the middle school.

While our schools decay awaiting needed repairs, Fairfield Hills moves ahead, now, on construction of a town hall. Fairfield Hills budget surplus remains under the control of the Fairfield Hills Authority, as do proceeds from the sale of real estate on Fairfield Hills grounds. Newtown taxpayers can access none of these funds. Does this make sense to anyone? Evidently it makes sense to Herb Rosenthal and some of the present Legislative Council members. It should not make sense to anyone who cares about Newtown.

Our public funds are tainted by imprudent financial decisions and poor long-range planning. We need to restore excellence to Newtown by restoring dignity to our tax dollars and using common sense to establish our capital priorities.

When elected, The Independent Party of Newtown, dedicated to the principles on which this country was founded, will implement a new system of accountability, checks and balances and transparency in government. We will spend Newtown’s money with dignity and care — just as we spend our own. We are energized and enthusiastic about what Newtown is and what it can become. Visit our website (www.IndependentPartyOfNewtown.com), read our platform, contact our candidates, challenge our thinking — we want your vote and we’ll show you how we’ll earn it.

Brendan Duffy

Legislative Council Candidate, District 3

Independent Party of Newtown

4 Chestnut Knoll Drive, Sandy Hook                 September 12, 2007