What’s Wrong With

Whistleblowing?

To the Editor:

I read the article “First Selectman: Taxpayers Costs For FFH Complaints ‘Close to $1 Million’” [Bee, 7/10/09] and realized that the town administration thinks the people of Newtown are children that believe the little white lies.

The article indicates that the cost to the taxpayer is calculated in part by multiplying volunteer hours by consultant hourly rates. In other words “no charge.” How did the public works and selectmen’s office incur costs? Did they charge for overtime? Did they have to hire someone to handle the added load? Was the state asking for information not required by code? Compliance with code is not an option and if the construction activities or documents were not properly designed or organized then we should be looking at some errors and omission insurance from the consultants at FFH. Why doesn’t the town / Bee publish the breakdown of the costs as part of this article instead of providing this eighth grade journalism of “he said, she said.” I will withhold judgment until some kind of accounting is provided, but if I am right and this $1 million is not a real dollar cost then I think that everyone that jumped on this bandwagon owes the town an apology. This will include Gary Fetzer who thinks that the FFH volunteer time could have filled a need locally.

How much did it cost to defend an unethical if not illegal firing of the dog warden? How much did it cost to have a vote to increase the high school construction budget? I sat at the town meeting and listened as taxpaying architects, engineers, and contractors stated that they are seeing decrease in construction costs. That little operation almost cost the town $6 million. Where was the outrage when this town could not plan appropriately for the parking at the Newtown Youth Academy and agreed to take a loan at six percent to construct a parking lot? Why wasn’t this money bonded previously? Why are we paying more for the school garbage contract instead of enforcing the existing contract? Mr Borst et al, when the town enters into a contract we expect you to enforce the terms; if the terms are not met then we do not pay for the service. Where is the outrage of the last-minute raises for the BOE administration staff?

Why are people mad about “whistleblowing”? That is supposed to be a good thing, isn’t it? I do not believe that the State of Connecticut takes a complaint more seriously if provided by a town council member. The complaints to the state are probably documented and required by law to be investigated in a timely manner. If the town believes it was unduly prosecuted by any government agency, then we should take action.

I think this article is full of noncontested statements and published in manner which provides it with validity.

I want to have faith in my town government. Can someone give me a reason?

Larry Garner

6 Forest View Drive, Sandy Hook                                   July 14, 2009