To the Editor:The Newtown Bee recently reported on the Board of Selectman's response to the Ethics Board having found David Freeman and Kathy Hamilton guilty of ethics violations. What was concerning of Mrs Llodra's comments was her focus on procedural mistakes made by the Ethics Board, rather than the guilt of the two elected officials, and then praising the two elected officials. Mrs Llodra made comments personally directed towards one of the Ethic Boards member, questioning her own appointed official's motives. Mrs Llodra's comments were inappropriate, vindictive and simply out of line.The Newtown Bee calling for a new board to help educate town officials on FOI regulations, which the Legislative Counsel then turned down.

However, focus on FOI [Freedom of Information] mistakes made by her own appointed Ethics Commission seems like selected and politically based criticism. The real issue is blatant violations of the FOI rules from the top down. A culture of not following the rules has been created and nurtured by our senior elected officials. This even led to

Let me give you an example: In January 2014 a complaint was filed against three of Newtown's elected boards for violation of FOI regulations. In June 2014, a mediated settlement was reached on the complaint which required FOI training. The members of the Board of Education, the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance agree to attend as part of the mediated settlement. The training was held and only ten percent of these elected officials attended. Mrs Llodra failed to attend.

As recently as last week, after all of the news coverage on FOI regulations, one of Newtown's appointed commissions failed to properly notice an executive session according to FOI statutes. Another commission files no agenda nor minutes of subcommittee's meeting.

It is time to do something differently.

First, the first selectman should impress on all boards and commissions that FOI regulations are to be followed, in spirit and to the letter of the law. It's called transparency.

Second, all newly appointed and elected officials should be required to take FOI training. It's called accountability.

Third, the paid clerks of the major boards should receive training on the regulations. It's called checks and balances.

Fourth, town employees who regularly participate in board meetings should also be well trained on the rules. These employees regularly attend meetings and can help prevent violations.

Fifth, the Ethics Board should amend its regulations to include repeated violations of FOI regulations and of the Town Charter.

Our actions will speak louder than our words. Newtown officials should be committed to following FOI regulations.

Bruce Walczak

PO Box 0769, Newtown                    June 29, 2016