Bruce Walczak Voted To Chair IPN

By John Voket

The Independent Party of Newtown (IPN) announced February 11 that Police Commissioner Bruce Walczak was elected its new chairman, with Ann Ziluck being named the party’s secretary, and Gianine Crowell its treasurer.

In a release, Mr Walczak said the IPN is focused on the development of a strategic long-range plan for Newtown, and the call for such a plan is finally gaining momentum.

“The Board of Selectman’s ad hoc Long Range Strategic Planning Committee endorsed the need for a strategic long-range plan in spring 2007,” Mr Walczak said in the release. “The Legislative Council, in a unanimous vote in January, endorsed development of a strategic long-range plan and urged the Board of Selectmen to get on with the process.”

The minor party chairman said the initiative should be a priority for the community in 2009. The IPN is now seeking candidates for public office to run in the upcoming fall election.

Mr Walczak said his minor party will field its own candidates and/or support those of the other parties, “depending on the qualifications of the candidates seeking election and their support of our core values.”

Donna A. Monteleone, chair of the IPN Nominating Committee, said her committee decided to get an early start on the process to allow its endorsed candidates every opportunity to present their message to the voters.

“We believe that the focus of the IPN on the need for creation of a strategic long-range plan, and a more open, responsive government, will be attractive to voters in 2009,” she said in the release.

Mr Walczak declined to say exactly when the IPN elections took place.

As of Thursday morning, the IPN’s local website still lists Robert E. Murray as the party’s chair.

Mr Walczak would not immediately say whether or not he would remain on the Police Commission, if he would seek another elected office, or if he has decided to not pursue public office when his Police Commission term ends in 2011.

The official replied that he still has “lots of work to do in my current position,” and that he would “decide on another term when 2011 gets a little closer.”

There are currently four elected officials who qualified to represent the IPN as an official minor party in town government: Gary Davis and Po Murray, who were elected to the Legislative Council; David Nanavaty, who was an IPN candidate for the Board of Education; and Mr Walczak, who was elected to the Police Commission. 

Additionally, IPN members Desiree Galassi and Joan Plouffe were recently appointed to the Board of Education’s Strategic Planning Committee.

The November 2009 election will include voting for seats on the Board of Assessment Appeals, the Board of Education, the Board of Finance, the Legislative Council, the Board of Managers-Edmond Town Hall, the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Police Commission, the Board of Selectman, and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Those interested in being considered to become candidates with the Independent Party of Newtown should submit a letter describing their interest and background by May, to: The Independent Party of Newtown; Donna A. Monteleone, Chairperson; 4 Erin Lane, Sandy Hook CT 06482.