David E. Brown

(R)

 

Personal Information: David E. Brown, 64, educator, CPA (retired), currently an adjunct instructor/lecturer (accounting and finance) at three area universities. Resident of Newtown since 1961; math instructor at Newtown High School for six years (70–76). Manager of Edmond Town Hall (76–79), introduced the “Dollar Movie”; member of the Board of Selectman (77–79); member of Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers (74–76 and 95–present); member Newtown United Methodist Church (69–present); member Newtown Lions Club (82–present).

What personal qualities do you have that you believe will benefit the Legislative Council and the community it serves? I would like to believe that my many years in education, business, and community service have provided me with a wealth of valuable experiences upon which to draw. In addition, I would bring to the Legislative Council: enough patience to listen to all points of view; enough wisdom and intellect to analyze what I hear; enough personal strength to choose that which I believe to be the best course of action; and enough civic/social responsibility to tell others about that which I believe.

What do you believe is the council’s biggest challenge over the next two years? I believe that the biggest challenge of any deliberating group is the group itself. The Legislative Council is no different. The first challenge will be to select leadership to fill some mighty big shoes left by the outgoing chairperson, Don Studley. Thank you Don for a job well done. Next, is the continuing challenge of setting aside personal/special interests of individual council members in order that the council can focus on the “greater good.”

What can the Legislative Council do to limit the growth of Newtown’s tax rate? A hard, cold reality is that the taxpayers control the tax rate. Yes, the council can encourage or discourage programs, approve or reject certain requests, but in the end, it is you and I, as voters in budget referendums, that set the tax rate. As long as the citizen/taxpayer population grows and wants certain services provided by our town government, the council cannot stop it. It would seem then, that one way to “limit the growth of Newtown’s tax rate” is to limit the growth of Newtown. The council may be able to assist by promoting bolder programs to invest in “open space.” I would refer readers to the editorial “A Winning Proposition,” which appeared in The Bee, October 10, 2003, for an introduction to the “Save money. Save land. Save the character of the town” strategy.