To the Editor:

It continues to amaze me that with all that requires attention in Newtown, that a certain element on the Legislative Council spends time and resources on something far off on the fringes of reality — the all-encompassing disposable plastic bag ban ordinance. This ban is supposed to save the environment. However, as pointed out repeatedly through the ordinance process (and by NPR), studies on such ordinances have proven quite the opposite. The studies, of course, show that the alternatives to the so-called “disposable” bag all have a much larger carbon footprint. Moreover, the issue had already been dealt with on the state level, where it belonged. Finally, the First Selectman himself did not support the ordinance believing that it placed Newtown businesses at a competitive disadvantage and that it was correctly the province of the state. So despite all of the foregoing, why was it enacted? Quite simply, certain personages on the council believed that they knew better than us poor unenlightened masses. They were going to “change behavior.” So they interfered with the free market and engaged in social engineering — because their moral superiority over the rest of us simply could not be denied. Unfortunately, the vote ultimately fell along party lines, with the Democrats all supporting the ordinance and the Republicans opposing it. This, in and of itself, was disappointing in that in my four years on the council, I cannot remember a straight party line vote. If a consensus was not in place, we worked towards one. The sheer stridence of those supporting the ordinance was remarkable. The council has changed its tone and outlook, and not for the better. We have an election coming up next week. Think not about party, but about neighbors. How do you wish your neighbors treated? How do you wish to be treated? Like a grown up whose opinion matters, or like someone whose behavior needs to “changed?” Such contempt, such arrogance — vote them out!

Sincerely,

Tony Filiato

24 Washbrook Road, Newtown October 30, 2019