What Do Republicans Think?

To the Editor:

We Republicans believe it’s “Nicer in Newtown” despite what the Independent Party of Newtown (IPN) would have us believe. Republicans have worked very hard to ensure government runs effectively, engages the public and plans for and addresses Newtown’s needs. But that’s not what we are told by the IPN. They claim that the system is broken and have outlined their perspective in a platform called the “Declaration of Independents.” Let’s compare IPN’s “Declaration of Independents” to the facts:

 We’ll start with IPN’s “Declaration’s” first tenet:

“Better Government” by creating a long-range strategic plan, review of the Fairfield Hills Master Plan, restore educational excellence, encourage public participation, focus on smart land acquisition by acquiring open space and increasing passive recreation potential. Well, I don’t know about you, but who doesn’t want better government or excellence in education?

Did you know that all of these things are already in process?

The town has already accumulated many of the building blocks for a long-range strategic plan. A Long Range Planning Committee was created three years ago. The town maintains a comprehensive Plan of Conservation and Development that is updated periodically. Studies have been performed for the town by Planimetrics, a firm specializing in municipal growth and buildout. The report was initiated by the Board of Finance with participation by the Legislative Council, and presented to the town.

Did you know that the study showed the fastest growing demographic was seniors, growing at more than two times the next fastest growing group, not the school-age population?

As for encouraging public participation, all public meetings have public participation as a standard item on their agendas.

Republicans have continually supported open space acquisition by approving and spending $2 million dollars a year for the last six years to buy open space. The reason is simple. It improves the overall quality of life and prohibits development.

Did you know that IPN members of the council motioned to remove open space funding in the last budget cycle despite the fact that open space is one of their tenets?

What do Republicans think?

Republicans will build on the data the town has already collected from firms like Planimetrics to plan for municipal and educational needs. Guided by public input, we will continue to collaborate with all boards and commissions in town to incorporate the information to form a vision for Newtown’s future.

Newtown Republicans have laid out positions on improving government at: www.newtownrepublicans.org.

Joe DiCandido

4 Whitewood Road, Newtown                              September 22, 2009

(Mr DiCandido is a Republican member of the Legislative Council and a member of the Republican Town Committee’s Issues Committee.)