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To the Editor:

The message I get from IPN letters is that virtually nothing has been done right by past administrations in our town. Most money has been squandered and major changes are in order. Their scathing letters call for drastic change to how our town is guided.

News flash: There is no such thing as perfection in any form of government. Newtown is a wonderful place to live and major revamping of our system is not needed. Town government is made up of elected officials, paid department heads, and many volunteers who invest countless hours not only to advance, but preserve Newtown’s status as a premier Connecticut town.

Infrastructure, good policy, as well as technical advances must be secured for the present, as well as future, generations. I think all would agree that improving the present system is in order, but this can be done without upending the proverbial apple cart. These improvements should be methodical, well thought out and only then applied to our tried and proven town government. You know, the type of government that made Newtown the great little town it is.

It appears IPN is a growth out of the “We Can” activist group several years ago. In asking around, just about every town has a similar group. Naysayers to everything. Apparently the small handful of actual IPN registered members have filled their ranks with disgruntled members of other political parties who, when those parties did not play the game the way they wanted they simply took their ball and went home. This does not make them bad people, perhaps just a bit misguided. I even have friends among them. Their lead candidate, Mr Walczak, seems to like old sayings. How about this one: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

We need leaders that will take a common sense approach in leading Newtown forward. We need a leader that is well rounded out in all town issues, not just their favorite ones. Newtown is a great place. Let’s keep it great. Know the candidates, all of them.

Respectfully submitted,

Tom Catalina

Butterfield Road, Newtown                                       October 11, 2009