Town Government Needs

To Connect With The Community

To the Editor:

Newtown faces real challenges ahead. With great trepidation we have seen the size of our spending, and our taxes, grow and grow, seemingly out of control. Looking at all the needs and wishes of our community; there is so much out on the horizon, how can we possible afford it all? The answer is through careful planning and diligent execution.

Over the last several years it has been the Independent party candidates that have had the vision to look forward into our future and ask, “Why can’t we plan for things that make our community even better? Why not map our path forward in a long-range plan, and then implement that plan in a way that we can afford?” I have been on record since 2004 supporting a more comprehensive total town plan.

As we plan and prioritize our future, the easy part is coming up with lots of great things to spend money on; the hard part is paring down to the highest priorities so we can get the things we really want without breaking the bank. Prioritization will succeed if we better connect with people in order to understand the needs and wishes of the community. It’s not unlike trying to understand the needs and wishes of consumers while developing new consumer products, which is what I do for a living. Getting people to tell you what they want is hard work, let me tell you, but the success of developing new products, or developing long-range plans depends on it. Connecting with the community is something that the Independent party is doing with great success. Indeed, our success as a growing political force comes directly from our ability to connect with so many residents from all parts of the community. We have made great strides, and if elected, we intend to continue building on that strength. By fully understanding the true needs and wishes of our community we can wisely plan for our future and implement the things that we really want at a rate that we can afford.

As you decide who to vote for, remember that is has been the Independent party that has had the clarity of vision and the courage to bring the big election issues to the forefront this year via our better government initiatives. It’s the Independent party who has called for a return to the classic American ideal that government should serve the people. And if elected, it will be the Independent candidates that will energize our government. I urge you to vote for me for selectman and vote for all of the Independent candidates on November 3.

Bill Furrier

Independent Candidate for Selectman

9 Erin Lane, Sandy Hook                                            October 27, 2009