IPN Running (As Always) Against Rosenthal

To the Editor:

I think it is fair to say that among his accomplishments, my father, the former first selectman, has given rise to many weekly columnists in the Letter Hive. Having grown up with local politics, I’ve long since learned to ignore most of the detractors who have come and gone over the years.

What I can’t ignore as a taxpayer and concerned parent of three children is the damage these cynics are doing to public discourse and the threat they pose to our fiscal health. Let’s face it; the IPN grew out of a group that wanted to build a new high school at a cost of $160 million and individuals unified by a personal grudge against my father. They take issue with any individual who doesn’t agree with them. When various town boards that are comprised mostly of thinking and cooperative people reach decisions they don’t like, they claim in a litany of letters to The Bee and chain emails that my father manipulated the process. Give me a break; my father may have some powers but mind control is not one of them.

When the high school expansion project came in $6 million over budget it was the IPN candidate for first selectman, Bruce Walczak, who in his support of the additional spending said in his October 1, 2008, letter to The Bee that “The IPN believes that the risk of not moving forward with this project, at this time, is too great. Future costs are very likely to increase, not decrease, with additional state design requirements.” Fortunately, the voters didn’t listen and after the project was rebid it came in over $6 million less than the previous bids. No mea culpa letter from Mr Walczak or the IPN after that miscue and now they are telling us they are the best people to manage our fiscal future?

Despite the IPN’s attempts to somehow make the upcoming election about my father and anyone that has ever said as much as hello to him, please remember he is not a candidate for first selectman, Board of Selectman, Legislative Council, Board of Finance, town clerk, or Judge of Probate. However, he is a candidate running for an alternate position on the Zoning Board of Appeals. That said, the IPN and their ilk should not dismay as after Election Day they will be able to turn their zeal to the sleepy ZBA because everyone seems to get along too well there. My sympathies in advance go out to the future homeowner who receives a ZBA variance for a shed and winds up in a drawn out appeals process courtesy of the cast of characters referenced above.

While I plan on supporting the Democratic ticket on Election Day, there are many talented Republicans that are worthy of your consideration as well. As Mr Walczak closed his October 1, 2008, letter, “Now is the time” please don’t be fooled by the IPN jargon.

Sincerely,

Daniel C. Rosenthal

9 Megans Circle, Newtown                                         October 20, 2009