A Window On The Workings

Of Government

To the Editor:

Recent letters to The Bee and promises made by other candidates for office of first selectman have cited the importance of making government more accessible to the community through use of electronic media. I am very pleased to note such broad support for that goal. As Jan Andras rightly points out in her letter of 8/21 [“Easy Promises To Keep,” Letter Hive], the conference room of the new town hall will be equipped to provide telecasting of meetings. It is important to know that the addition of a media control room with supporting technology was not in the original plan and only came about through the foresight and perseverance of a committee I chair.

Beginning in 2008, I strongly advocated that the town hall plan be modified to include the infrastructure necessary to provide for electronic/digital recording and telecasting of meetings. Three beliefs formed the basis for my pursuit of this plan: 1) there is a need to improve the flow of information to the general population; 2) many people use technology (Internet and television) as a primary means to access information; and 3) timing — the opportunity to make this happen was right then, during construction.

Many months and numerous meetings later we are now poised to clear the final hurdles in achieving that goal: the control room is in place, and the funding for the necessary technology has been approved by the Board of Selectmen and is on the agenda for the Board of Finance.

Other tasks lie ahead, including the development with Board of Education cooperation of appropriate policy and protocols guiding the use of Channel 17, staffing, and more. But, it is exciting to know that the physical and technological capacities will soon be in place. This is a major step in moving us closer to that end where Newtown governmental processes will be more accessible to more citizens in a format that is readily available to most and desirable to many.

As many folks know, we did use electronic media to deliver the budget deliberations this past season with great cooperation of the high school’s tech club and The Newtown Bee. The behind-the-scenes effort to make this happen was significant. Although the product was not always smooth, as can be expected when an effort is “cobbled together” without sufficient resources or time, the exercise was worthwhile and beneficial.

I am proud of this work and that my focus on improving the flow of information has borne good results. Committee members Jeff Capeci and Gary Davis have been stalwart participants and helped to keep the effort alive. I am not inclined to promote my personal accomplishments, knowing full well that many persons contribute along the way. However, it is important to recognize that this effort, which I initiated and have led for two years, is the real work behind making governmental processes more transparent.

Regards,

Pat Llodra

Chair

Legislative Council Subcommittee on Communications

90 Riverside Road, Sandy Hook                                 August 26, 2009