Doing Research On Letter Writers

To the Editor:

I enjoyed reading Po Murray’s letter last week regarding letters written to The Bee in support of Herb Rosenthal [“Pay Attention To Party Platforms”]. Despite the fact that the current administration objects to the town’s “small” people writing in to the newspaper to question his continued missteps and arrogance, I have absolutely no problem with town employees, appointed commissioners, board members, consulting firms, and town contractors writing letters in support of Mr Rosenthal. The truth is, if my livelihood relied on Mr Rosenthal, I would probably write letters in support of him as well, despite my personal feelings that he has mismanaged his position and has only looked out for his own self-interests for the past ten years.

Despite Ms Murray’s request that these individuals writing in support of the first selectman identify themselves, I have no illusions that this will ever occur. Therefore, I would recommend that the voters do what I have been doing for years every time I see someone supporting Mr Rosenthal in The Bee. First, go to the town website and search the individual’s name. Invariably, you will immediately find that these supporters are Democratic commissioners, board members, or town employees. If your search only matches a last name, go to the Newtown phone book and look up the last name. Typically, you will find that spouses or family members of those whose lives are tied directly to the current administration have written these letters of support.

Finally, if you still have not been able to locate the first selectman’s supporters, go ahead and Google their names. You might be surprised to find some of these individuals acting as consultants or contractors for, let’s say, the Fairfield Hills Authority.

This may seem like a lot of effort, but the town’s current administration has proven over the years that we cannot rely on them to provide us with any visibility or transparency into the decisions they make within their inner sanctum.

Phil Dinielli

9 Copper Creek Circle, Newtown                                October 3, 2007