Satisfied With The Status Quo?

To the Editor:

Newtown’s 2009 election comes down to whether enough registered voters exercise their right to vote and whether or not voters will decide if they are either satisfied with the status quo or desire positive change.

I decided to run for Legislative Council in District 1 with the Independent Party of Newtown because I believe, in order for Newtown to progress, the old way of doing business is not good enough.

IPN has offered concrete plans for Newtown’s future utilizing facts. Everything submitted to newspapers or online is substantiated by official meetings’ minutes or news articles documenting the facts asserted. There has been no rhetoric, no personal assaults, just facts.

Are you satisfied that almost $30 million was spent on building an inadequate town hall, one baseball field, a parking area, and one walking trail on Fairfield Hills (FFH) with additional unaccounted Public Works money being diverted to FFH while road maintenance is deferred? (The town refuses to publicly report exactly what that amount is.) I’m not satisfied.

Do you favor approving $30 million more for FFH without a defined plan? I don’t. We’ve heard promises from both major political parties before about FFH plans, only to circumvent them.

Are you satisfied with delaying school repairs? I’m not. Ceiling tiles have been falling down in classrooms due to the leaky middle school roof and as much as $24,000 is spent annually patching it; the foundation there is also cracked. Hawley Elementary has been dealing with HVAC problems for years. And, the latest report is the only way funding to repair the system is in small stages. Is that the most effective method? Would you look forward to going to work in such an environment? Or paying taxes annually for something that’s broken?

Are you happy with the current level of planning conducted by the status quo and the inaction surrounding it? Our Blue Ribbon High School became overcrowded and slapped with a NEASC warning label, the senior citizens, our fastest growing population in Newtown, are afterthoughts when it comes to a decent facility for them to gather and socialize. Our Hook and Ladder and police department have received zero guidance finding alternative locations while working in dilapidated and undersized quarters.

Pitney Bowes is moving out of town. Victorinox and Marcus Dairy chose to do business with other neighboring towns, not Newtown. Where have the leaders from the RTC and DTC candidates been regarding these issues? Suddenly they have position papers and ideas.

If you value choice, diverse opinions, exchanges of ideas for a better way and platforms backed by actions, this year’s election brings an unusual opportunity. Your vote means something in making a difference for everyone’s future here in Newtown. Please vote for Robert Hennessey, Legislative Council, District 1 and the IPN slate on November 3. We’ll work hard for you this year and every year.

Sincerely,

Robert Hennessey

21 Sleepy Hollow Road, Sandy Hook                    October 20, 2009