A Need For

New Ideas

 To the Editor:

With all the talk about trimming budgets in Newtown and its schools, now is a good time to ask ourselves: “Is there a less expensive way to do this? Is this an expense we can live without?”

For example, I do enjoy seeing the luminarias the night of the tree lighting, but I wonder if we used just half the amount of bags would the experience really be that different? What if we used plastic milk jugs for the luminaries instead of buying them? I’m not sure how much the luminaries we use cost, but this is just one small way we could cut back on a “nice-to-have” town expense.

For our schools, we could cut back on postage and paper expenses if all the schools adopted the same policy for electronic newsletters. Paper copies would still be available to those who request and need them. The technology is available, and yet we continue in our old way. I wonder if this is because it is more comfortable to stay in the same routine?

I certainly agree that change can be uncomfortable, but I do think sometime change is necessary. With that said, how then can we encourage new ideas and facilitate the communication between those involved? Maybe a “New Ideas” box in this newspaper might help? The box could also be used as a way to communicate all the ways we continue to curb expenses.

I’d like to challenge everyone in town to “think outside the box” and not be afraid to suggest change!

Joan Thomas

89 Great Ring Road, Sandy Hook                                                                   November 27, 2006

(Editor’s note: The luminarias that line the streets in the center of town on the night of the Ram Pasture tree lighting are not paid for with tax dollars but are underwritten by donations from local businesses and individuals.)