For A More Diverse

Government

To the Editor:

I am a physical therapist by training but a full-time soccer mom at the moment. For the last 12 years, I have been an advocate for the children of Newtown by being involved in the PTA. In 2006, Gary Davis and I co-founded We Care About Newtown, an advocacy group focused on long-range planning. In 2007, we made a decision to form the Independent Party of Newtown to provide competition and choice for the Newtown voters.

I was honored to be elected to serve on the Legislative Council which has prepared me for this next challenge. I worked tirelessly on the council to ensure that the council worked harder to represent its constituents. Now, I am hoping that I will be given an opportunity to make a difference on the Board of Selectmen. I believe I can add much needed perspective and balance to this board.

The IPN has created a more diverse government and there is more accountability and transparency — because of IPN! However, there is still a significant amount of work to be done. As a minor party, we have made our voices strong and have been instrumental in originating many of the changes that have taken place over the last four years.

Newtown has struggled during the economic downturn and we will continue to face hardship with a sluggish economy. I have witnessed significant focus on reducing the school side spending and now Bill and I are pledging to reduce the town side spending as well.

In addition, Bill Furrier and I are fully committed to allow the voters to participate in making important decisions for Newtown. I have witnessed the elected representatives making decisions based on who they believe to be the silent majority. This type of decisionmaking is a guess work at best, therefore I fully support the bifurcation of the town and school budget with advisory questions because it will give voters more control over how their money is spent.

I also support the Fairfield Hills Authority ordinance being modified or repealed so that the voters would be allowed to vote on the lease arrangements on Fairfield Hills. Public input cannot replace a public vote!

Because we have spent millions and millions on capital projects, I would also like to see all capital projects placed on a ballot for the voters to decide. The voters should be able to decide if they want to bear the expense represented by those projects.

Bill and I are not career politicians. We are professionals and caring citizens who want to do what is best for Newtown.

The IPN is a group of Democrats, Republicans, Independents and anaffiliateds who have come together to focus on local issues to create a better Newtown. I believe we are the type of group that many in this country are seeking to energize. We have been working tirelessly for the last four years to earn more seats in town government to better represent the interests of like-minded Newtowners. I am hoping that the voters will support us on Election Day.

Po Murray

Independent Party of Newtown

Selectman Candidate

38 Charter Ridge Drive, Sandy Hook                       October 19, 2011