Trying To Understand Who IPN Is

To the Editor:

In a letter to The Bee last week, a resident indicated that he spoke, not as an individual, but on behalf of the Independent Party of Newtown (IPN) at the recent Legislative Council Meeting, and he went on to delineate in detail IPN budgetary positions in his letter.  There was no reference to any procedure, protocol or title that enabled this formal representation of a political party’s position, nor any reference as to the number of Newtown residents aligned with these positions as active members of the party.  The writer did not include any position or title as a party officer or other party affiliation in the salutation, although the body of the letter purported to represent the IPN on many significant budget items.

The IPN website was referred to by the writer as the reference point for some IPN budgetary resources.   The site appears to be focused primarily on the election of this past November (2007) and does not appear to be a fluid and updated site with any specific 2008-2009 budgetary focus.  With the exception of two links to the town and education budget documents provided by Newtown officials, the site appears to be unchanged since the fall election cycle.  The site does not appear to include a list of duly registered IPN members or a 2008-2009 budget position paper, or reference any official 2008-2009 budgetary positions.  Publication of an IPN party membership and a party platform vis-à-vis the budget would seem to be in order if there is to be continued reference by some to the formal IPN positions on the budgetary processes and operational protocols of Newtown.

While every citizen has the right, indeed the obligation, to share their views, opinions, insights, recommendations, and concerns regarding any issue affecting the operation of Newtown, it is the breadth and scope of any representation beyond the individual that must be assured and documented if a broad representation is suggested.  There is little doubt that the IPN represents the views and opinions of a segment of the community.  It has become part of the fabric of Newtown.  It is now appropriate to identify the amount of IPN fabric in the overall Newtown quilt.  

Both IPN members and non-members alike might be better served by delineating the procedures utilized to challenge segments of the budget as identified in the aforementioned letter to the editor.  Some, I dare say most, who read The Bee may not be well acquainted with the budgetary process and would be eager to find out how the IPN earmarked 11 areas within the town budget for review by the Legislative Council, the rationale for each, and the individuals who identified the earmarks that could affect town services for all residents if adopted.

Sincerely,

Richard English

3 Curry Drive, Newtown                                                     April 7, 2008