We Are All In This Together

To the Editor:

Most people believe that limited government can be part of the solution. This is especially true today as we face the present economic climate. Nearly everyone knows someone who has been seriously affected.

So how can local government play a positive role? First, it means that we keep a sharp eye as to every expenditure and prioritize to those things most needed. This should not only be done at budget time but throughout the year.

Second, every department and employee in the town, as well as all volunteers serving on the boards and commissions, continuously examine methods to ease the burden on the taxpayers while not abdicating the responsibilities of good government. Innovation and creativity can play a large role here. Each of us has to look at the impact of our decisions not only in our particular area, but also as a community in its entirety.

Nowhere is this linkage more evident than in the Board of Education’s recent decision to award the bus contract to MTM, a local business with local drivers. We applaud this decision. The majority of board members ultimately decided that while cost is an issue, and a priority, local drivers are also taxpayers and consumers in the community. Moreover, we secured the safety of our children and in the process, were reciprocated with MTM bids that equaled the out-of -town bid and saved nearly $400,000!

The bottom line is that we are all in this together — that we are all “Team Newtown.” Our actions can and do help each other.

As we spend these next months talking to you, the residents of Newtown, please consider whether you might have some ideas as to how the town can be more cost-effective, efficient and identify savings. What are your priorities and what are your needs? If you have a question or comments please contact either of us at gafetzer@aol.com or jhshct@aol.com.

Thank you, and we look forward to talking to each and every one of you.

Gary Fetzer

Democratic Candidate for First Selectman

& Joe Hemingway

Democratic Candidate for Selectman

Sugar Street, Newtown/Overlook Knoll, Sandy Hook June 3, 2009