To the Editor:

I recently researched the longevity of members of the Board of Finance from 1960 to 2009. The longest serving member was W.W. Holcombe with 14 years service, 13 as chairman (1962–1976). There wasn’t a great deal of turnover. Beginning in 1968 other long-term members were: Jack Rosenthal, nine years, Walter Lane seven years, Gary McMahon six years. They controlled the finances of the town very tightly. In 1975, after a yearlong study of different forms of local government, the League of Women Voters, then 75–80 members strong, recommended to the Charter Revision Commission the elimination of the Board of Finance and creation of the Legislative Council to be a more representative group. The revision passed in 1975. Why?

Twenty-eight portable classrooms, located at the three elementary schools and the middle school, were in use. Angry citizens blamed the Board of Finance. Were they at fault? Partly, but the selectmen and others were not blameless. School overcrowding did not end until the Head O’ Meadow School opened in 1977 after a long, drawn out, legal battle for land and funding.

The Charter Revision Committee in 2001 recommended the restoration of the Board of Finance to monitor spending. However, because of the previous bad experience with classroom shortages, their powers were diminished. They have enormous influence but limited power. The Legislative Council makes the final decisions on spending and taxation.

This election year, both the Democratic and Republican Parties have endorsed the six incumbents. If you vote the party ticket, whether Republican or Democrats, you will be voting for three members of the opposite party. By cross endorsing, the two parties hope to gain more votes and ensure the status quo.

Four current members of the Board of Finance have served eight years, one man six years, and one about one year. Once again the school system is using portable classrooms. Are these six men responsible? Of course not: the selectmen and many others who failed to plan and execute promptly are at fault.

The Independent Party of Newtown has two candidates for the Board of Finance, Benjamin Roberts (Registered Democrat) and William McNerney (Registered Republican). Both are highly qualified. They will bring new ideas and a spirit of innovation to the group. Will you take the easy way and vote for the party ticket, or will you vote boldly for innovation?

Visit www.ipn2009.org and www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXYjQS3F-NUto learn the qualifications of Benjamin Roberts and William McNerney and other IPN candidates.

Vote for innovation. It’s your choice!

Ruby Johnson, PhD

16 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook                      October 7, 2009