Betrayal

To the Editor:

On November 6, Newtown voters called for change, a new direction, and a more responsive town administration. The Republican Town Committee proposed Joseph Borst for first selectman and his running mate for selectman, Paul Mangiafico.

Voters endorsed this team to find solutions to the pressing needs of the community and to be sensitive to rising taxes through long-range planning for municipal needs. Over 400 citizens attended the Legislative Council meeting in February and made clear their opposition to the conversion of Bridgeport Hall at FFH into a new town hall. Dissatisfaction with this course of action influenced the repeated defeat of the town budget. The Rosenthal administration continued to ignore the wishes of the citizens.

During the campaign, Mr Borst stated he favored reviewing the entire Fairfield Hills project before continuing to spend more money on a new town hall. There are compelling reasons a review is justified. First: Money.

a. In March 2000, the Fairfield Hills Advisory Committee Report recommended renovating Bridgeport Hall for a Community Center.

b. February 2003 the Fairfield Hills Master Plan recommended keeping Bridgeport Hall for community use (town or privately operated)

c. October 2005, the Park and Recreation Department proposed five solutions for replacement of the Dickinson Park pool. One was construction of a new recreation center with swimming pool. The estimated cost then was $19–$21 million. The Capital Improvement Plan now proposes to construct a new recreation center (cost unknown).

d. The school system reviewed the possible construction of a 400 pupil “academy” at Fairfield Hills to relieve overcrowding at the high school. They were not offered consideration of Bridgeport Hall for lunch room space (lunch prepared at the Reed school to save money), nor the gift to the town of a gymnasium offered by a local citizen.

Second, respect for Edmond Town Hall: Many want to keep Edmond Town Hall as the center of government, but the building is not large enough.

a. Technology today allows connection to a Fairfield Hills building for additional town offices.

b. All offices together: (1) Combine Newtown, Woodbury and Stratford Halls at Fairfield Hills to provide the space needed.

c. Buy a home near Edmond Town Hall and construct a town hall annex.

All of these cost saving initiatives require a reassessment of the entire Fairfield Hills project.

Last Monday night, Paul Mangiafico betrayed the citizens who voted for him when he moved to continue with the new town hall saying there are no reasons not to continue. Mr Rosenthal seconded the motion. It passed 2 to 1. Mr Mangiafico betrayed First Selectman Borst, the man he campaigned with and pretended to support. Paul revealed himself as the Rosenthal Republican he is.

A leopard can’t change his spots. The next two years will see thousand of dollars wasted because Rosenthal Republicans like Paul Mangiafico deceived us, the voters.

Ruby Johnson

16 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook                      December 5, 2007