Charter Revision, Same Old Politics

To the Editor:

I am responding to the letter from George J. Caracciolo printed in the October 20 Bee which was a response to a letter from Ruby K. Johnson published on October 13 (sounds like a chain letter).

It may be that I am naïve about the way politics are practiced in Newtown but your response to Ruby Johnson (Ruby) seemed to miss the unseen section of her letter that shouted out loud and clear: “read between the lines.”

Ruby is a lone voice in the wilderness calling out to you. As the reader of her letter, the town resident, the voter who will go to the polls and the person who will decide to get involved or not, it is your choice to become proactive in making Newtown a better place to live. By writing a letter, you have raised questions that deserve articulate and clear answers. Right?

The previous Charter Commission committee of three years ago was an all political appointed body that worked very hard. When their recommendations were presented to the Legislative Council, most of them were NOT adopted. You would think our political leaders would learn from our recent history.

As I see it, Ruby was attempting to be an advocate for her constituents by looking for the commission to be more diverse including more women and unaffiliated voters. If this is being “politically incorrect,” then thank her for being fair and open-minded.

The initial selection process, which was touted as being non-political, by all appearances was strictly politically motivated. There were four Democrats, four Republicans, and one unaffiliated voter chosen. When the Legislative Council added three more members to the commission, they went to party members only. The fact that only one woman and one unaffiliated voter were selected speaks for itself.

Your criteria for selecting applicants is absolutely correct as long as the pool of applicants is reflective of the true diversity of our community. I know there are many terrific people in public office from both parties, but you don’t really think that the Democrats and Republicans have cornered the market on Newtown’s best people.

With over 44 percent of the Newtown voting gene pool lodged in unaffiliated voters, there has to be a few more capable people out there who could contribute to the commission. There are quite a few very bright and knowledgeable office workers, mechanics, and truck drivers in Sandy Hook who would make major contributions if called upon. Believe it or not, they can read, write, and spell as good as the best of us.

It is obvious that several council members chose not to have the broadest possible makeup of the Charter Commission, which at this point does not reflect the character of Newtown.

Thank you Ruby for pointing out to us the not so obvious.

Barry J. Piesner

34 Alpine Drive, Sandy Hook                                      October 25, 2000