To the Editor:

In the spirit of transparency, I need to highlight a vote that occurred at the October 7, 2015 meeting of the Legislative Council. The council considered and approved a proposal giving the NHS band $17,540 taken from 12/14 Recovery Funds to buy a truck to move band equipment. As a member of the New-town community for almost 26 years, a SHS teacher on the day of the tragedy and someone who con-tinues to teach at SHS, this completely baffled me in light of the continuing and future recovery needs of the Newtown community.

By the end of this school year the SERV grant and the Department of Justice funds will expire.  These funds have helped provide mental health personnel and counselors in all of our district schools, as well as other needs in the wake of the 12/14 tragedy.  It appears the Newtown Recovery and Resiliency Team will run out of funds before the end of 2015.

I shared my concerns with the Legislative Council at their October meeting when the public had an opportunity to speak. These funds came to the town as a result of the horrible tragedy at Sandy Hook School on 12/14/12. They are recovery funds, not a “Wish List Account,” particularly when there are recovery needs that have not been funded.  Next fall begins a critical year for Sandy Hook School and the Sandy Hook community, as we transition back to the site of the tragedy.  I asked for assurance that mental health service needs would be met for next year before giving away recovery funds to unin-tended recipients.  This assurance was not given.

The vote was as follows: Mr. Filiato (current band parent), for proposal; Mr Merola, for proposal; Mr Carroll, for proposal; Mr Amaral, for proposal; Mr Lundquist (current band parent), for proposal; Mr Girgasdky, for proposal; Ms Bermudez, for proposal; Ms Jacobs, against proposal; Mr Chaudhary, against proposal.

Do those of you who voted to give away recovery funds have so little empathy or lack of connection to your constituency that you don’t see the continuing unfunded recovery needs in your community?  

NHS Band Association: I propose that you turn over the $17,540 to the Newtown Recovery and Resil-iency Team. This organization has been helping the many community members in need of assistance with mental help services and counseling as a result of 12/14, as well as bringing many recovery initia-tives to our district. First Selectman Llodra mentioned this possibility during the discussion at the council meeting before the vote was taken. You didn’t want to use any of the $44,000 in the Band Ac-count, but were willing to use 12/14 Recovery Funds.  If you need the truck, use money from the band account and start a community-wide donation drive to replace the $17, 540 from the band account.  There will be hundreds and hundreds of supporters.  I will happily provide the first donation.

Robin Walker

11 North Branch Road, Newtown     October 17, 2015