With Public Discourse Thwarted,

A Lawsuit Is Necessary

To the Editor:

In response to William Rodgers’ recent letter directed at the “Friends of Newtown” and more directly at those behind the group’s website InsideNewtown.com, I agree with Mr Rodgers’ suggestions on ways to conduct public discourse. However his obvious dismissal of the people and groups who oppose the way the town is moving ahead with FFH effectively illustrates why their lawsuit is necessary today.

 I also agree that “people should assume that our town leaders operate with the best interests of our town at heart” and that “dialogue, not litigation, is the preferred route for dissent.” But Mr. Rodgers’ letter overlooks how those who preceded Matt DeAngelis and followed the course of action that Mr Rodgers advocates were rebuffed time and time again by town officials.

After 2003, when the initial version of the Fairfield Hills Master Plan was rejected by taxpayers through a formal referendum, the selectmen modified and moved ahead with the rejected plan anyway. Since then, many individuals and organizations have addressed town officials with most trying to engage in constructive discussion regarding this violation of the public trust. Our town leaders responded by creating the Fairfield Hills Authority (FFHA) behind our back with the help of state officials, which closed the door on public discourse forever.

Adding insult to injury, members of the new FFHA are answerable only to Mr Rodgers’ council and the selectmen themselves and enjoy extraordinary discretion on spending without any obligation to help offset our taxes with future revenue generated from the project.

And more recently, reports suggest the plan is morphing into a dominantly commercial campus with a new town hall, which the owners of the property, you and me, never approved. Our $21 million FFH fund is down to about half and our town is headed for a colossal financial blunder at a time when Newtown can least afford it.

With the opportunity for public discourse closed to the public long ago, legal action is the only way to force a review of the decisions by our town leaders and the FFHA. Yes, there is a cost to taxpayers when the town defends itself against a lawsuit, but millions are being spent right now on consultants, architects, polls, and traffic studies to design and market a master plan that the public will most certainly reject when additional funding is needed.

Regardless of whether or not I agree with everything that Matt DeAngelis and The Friends of Newtown stand for, I support the lawsuit for the reasons described here, and I commend Matt and other unshakable voices like Ruby Johnson for their work on behalf of all taxpayers whose letters, comments, and calls on this very important subject continue to be dismissed in the way that Mr Rodgers has attempted to do with his letter.

I am sure I speak for all Newtowners when I say that I appreciate that William Rodgers takes time to think about Newtown under his current difficult and dangerous circumstances. Keep your head down and come home safe.

Kevin Fitzgerald

24 Old Farm Hill Road, Newtown                            January 9, 2007