The Heart of Democracy

To the Editor:

Success! The first selectman responded to my letter of September 6. He discussed two issues from his perspective. My concerns are not focused on him, but on all selectmen and other elected officials as well as those who may serve in the future

In the November election, voters will select members of the next Legislative Council (LC). Under our Newtown Charter, the LC must appoint a committee every five years (2006) to review the present charter and make recommendations for changes if needed. The citizens then vote approval or disapproval of any recommended revisions in the following November election (2007).

Clearly, two major issues need to be addressed:

1. Is it OK to find a way to circumvent the town charter if elected officials find its wording too cumbersome or too restrictive?

To invoke a 1979 ordinance to justify relegating the Public Building Committee to a lesser role is questionable. Using the every five years rule for charter revision, we would expect that at least four or five Charter Revision Committees have reviewed the 1979 ordinance and chose not to incorporate its wording into the charter. Should all ordinances undergo review by the next charter committee?

2. Should the legislative branch (LC) and the administrative branch (Board of Selectmen) continue to uphold and respect the process of “checks and balances” essential to a democratic government?

By a vote of 11 to 1, the present LC members abdicated their responsibility to maintain some check on the selectman when it allowed the creation of an eight-member Fairfield Hills Authority, chosen only by the selectmen, to make all decisions regarding Fairfield Hills without the appointees being reviewed for qualifications or conflict of interest by the LC. One brave council member spoke in favor of having the council retain some check on the selectmen’s appointees. The LC retained no oversight of the authority’s power to spend the millions of dollars remaining in the Fairfield Hills bonds? Instead, they allowed the consolidation of power exclusively into the executive branch for Fairfield Hills.

What can citizens do? Don’t vote blindly in November. Take the time to learn how the candidates for the council in your district will uphold the charter and will work to maintain a system of checks and balances. Democracy is not a spectator sport.

Ruby K. Johnson

16 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook                   September 28, 2005