Transparency On The Transparency

To the Editor:

I have read with interest the claim of the Newtown Independent Party as laid out on its flyer “Government must be Transparent to its citizens” … seems reasonable. The only problem is, I’ve never really had any difficulty learning what’s going on in the town. I take time to read The Newtown Bee and the News-Times, check the town website, and attend a meeting (yes, they’re all public) when something concerns me. I’m really tired of hearing how some want to be spoon-fed all the happenings in town, and, if they aren’t, it’s the town’s fault, or the newspaper’s fault, or the public officials’ fault. Please?!

People need to take some responsibility for themselves. There is more information out there, ready and available, to anyone who just looks or asks. The Newtown Bee does an excellent job covering nearly every town board and commission meeting of interest. The town website is incredible. Herb Rosenthal and his administration have done an exceptional job at getting more information up than you could possibly use or need. The website lists the public officers on every board and commission, the function and objective of each board and commission, gets meeting minutes up usually within 48 hours, lists the entire monthly town schedule of meetings, lists the charter in full, the budget in full, bonding issues and their related purpose, the Fairfield Hills Master Plan, I could go on and on.

I have searched other town websites, their websites don’t have close to what Herb Rosenthal’s administration has up there. The town clerk’s office has it all as well, as does the library. Finally, on occasion I have made the effort to call public officials and town employees for assistance. I have never received anything but a pleasant, timely, and informative answer. Our town government is “transparent.” One needs to only accept some good old-fashioned principles: the world doesn’t come to you, you have to go to it; it doesn’t owe you anything, and it’s not everyone else’s fault if you choose not to exercise any effort.

In short, we need some “transparency on the transparency” claim here. Unless you believe the world must come to you, clearly there is no “transparency” issue here. Sure makes a nice political sound byte though. Thanks for listening.

Patrick M. Kelley

8 Mile Hill Road South, Newtown                   September 19, 2007