To the Editor:

It is a rare occasion when a municipal election has the potential to be remembered as historic. For Newtown, the coming election is one such occasion.

While I admire Newtown’s major parties for their accomplishments over the years and their elected officials for innumerable personal sacrifices on my behalf, the time has come for a change. For reasons why, one need look no further than the attitudes and accountability implied by the continued pursuit of the Fairfield Hills development plan, even after its rejection by voters; voting to avoid and failure to effect any demonstrable oversight of the Fairfield Hills Authority; and the potholes you drove around this morning that should have been repaired with the money quietly diverted to Fairfield Hills. As Fairfield Hills weaves through each of these examples, one cannot help but to wonder whether this project has overwhelmed the abilities and judgment of our current leaders.

It is time to restore “best practices” of municipal governance to Newtown, and I feel voting for the Independent Party of Newtown represents our best avenue for success. The IPN has championed the principles of good government since its inception and it has no shortage of common sense proposals to achieve them. As its candidates come from both major parties, the IPN promises a balanced perspective that is responsive to the needs and concerns of all Newtown’s citizens.

In this climate, the logic of IPN’s arguments resonates strongly, so strongly that both major parties have recently added similar principles to their own platforms. They have even promised to start exercising them after the election is over. Has a new era of responsiveness dawned? Or, is this a cynical defense of the status quo? Given their joint decision to cross endorse each other’s candidates on the ballot, what do you think?

As citizens, we do not elect parties, we elect candidates. For this reason, I have read the candidates’ bios posted on the IPN website. I am impressed with the strength of IPN’s slate and feel each candidate is worthy of serious consideration. In a surprisingly short period, the IPN has become a remarkably mature party.

Finally, I would like to enthusiastically endorse Ben Roberts, IPN Board of Finance candidate. I met Ben last spring at a discussion group he organized and moderates. In this role, he consistently puts others first, encourages all points of view, demonstrates rigorous thinking and clear expression, and always acts with integrity. Ben’s thoughtful responses to my many questions have convinced me that he will raise the board’s level of professionalism, apply rigorous analysis and oversight over all areas of the budget, save the town money through financial innovations and strategic decisionmaking, and improve town governance.

Creating a culture of good governance can persist and pay Newtown handsome dividends for many years, if not decades. If Ben Roberts and the IPN are given the opportunity to deliver on their promise, this election may be remembered as truly historic.

Chad Peck

Hanover Road, Newtown                                             October 28, 2009