Have You Taken

The Newtown Survey?

To the Editor:

Way back in February, I attended a public hearing in a crowded school cafeteria with a few hundred fellow residents. I didn’t have a strong opinion to express, but thought it was time to poke my head up and learn more about what was going on in our town. After hearing many impassioned opinions, it occurred to me that it would be a great thing to try to understand whether or not these strong feelings ran deeply among town residents as a whole. As the last public participant of the evening, I stood up and offered my services to complete a townwide research study to measure public opinion on a wide variety of town issues. As a partner in a research and consulting firm, I can provide this service to town residents at no charge. I feel this is an important point: this work is being done for town residents, not the town government. Although they are aware of and endorse this work, the town government did not hire me or tell me what questions to ask. When I report on the results, it will be presented to town residents in a public forum. This work is for all of us!

In putting a questionnaire together, I reached out and sought input from several groups in town including the Board of Selectmen, Legislative Council, WeCAN, Friends of Fairfield Hills, InsideNewtown, Pootatuck Watershed Association, Newtown Parks and Recreation Commission, Newtown Senior Center, Newtown Youth & Family Services, and a consortium of elementary school PTAs. This ensured that while the questionnaire would be written independently, all of these groups had an opportunity to contribute and shape the survey.

Well, the survey has officially launched, and the timing could not be better! As the fall political season picks up, many folks in town are thinking about the issues that are important to them and their families. This is an opportunity for Newtown residents to speak up and have their opinions heard. The results will be presented to the public shortly after the November elections, providing a clear snapshot of what people believe are the most important issues facing the town. And importantly, the newly elected officials will have access to a wealth of information as they begin their new terms.

Now it’s up to you. Please help by taking this survey! You can take this survey and make sure people just like you are represented. Only one-third of eligible voters turned out to vote on the budget. Does that mean the opinions of the other two-thirds don’t matter when it comes to the issues facing our town? No, not at all! I would like this survey to provide a definitive perspective of what everyone in Newtown thinks. And for your time, all completed surveys can be entered into a drawing for an iPhone or the cash equivalent.

The survey can be found online at www.esurveyhome.com/NewtownSurvey.

If you do not have access to a PC to complete this survey, you may find a paper copy of the questionnaire at the Newtown Senior Center, at The Newtown Bee, or call me at 203-573-0400, extension 114, and will be happy to mail one to you.

Paul Lundquist

148 Currituck Road, Newtown                            September 11, 2007