Making

A Difference

To the Editor:

I want to thank everyone who attended the Legislative Council meeting on February 7 to ask our town officials to stop work on a new town hall at Fairfield Hills until our questions about the project and about Fairfield Hills are answered. More than 400 of us attended the meeting, with all of those who spoke, speaking eloquently on this topic.

The size of the crowd and the unified message to stop work on the town hall at Fairfield Hills put many of our elected officials on the defensive, and their reactions spoke volumes.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, speaking at the meeting after most of the room had cleared, told the council that it had no authority to stop the Board of Selectmen from moving forward with the town hall or other projects at Fairfield Hills. Our five-term first selectman told those left in attendance that he intended to complete the town hall despite the growing public discontent with how funds are being expended, even if it cost him reelection. It is now clear that the Board of Selectmen and the Fairfield Hills Authority answer to no one.

The majority of our Legislative Council members seem to agree with the first selectmen that there is nothing they can do to keep the Board of Selectmen and the Fairfield Hills Authority in check or to help us in this matter. Outside of possible assistance from Keith Jacobs and Joe Borst – the only two council members who tried to take action at the meeting and who were ruled out of order when they did – it appears that it will be up to the public to press this matter further, and those plans are in the works.

Third, our town officials will do whatever it takes to stonewall us and avoid transparency in their activities. Even if they wanted to help us, the Legislative Council members have now been told that they cannot address any of our questions. I have now formally submitted these questions to the Board of Selectmen, but I anticipate a similar response.

It’s clear that most of our elected officials have lost touch with the public, and have no clear vision for our community. Now, more than ever, it’s time to press for change that will result in a government that will undertake long-range planning, will develop a vision for a future that goes beyond five years, and will be more responsive to its constituents. 

Thanks to all of you who attended the meeting. You made an impact. And thanks to all of you have come forward to ask how you can help. You are, and will be, making a difference.

Sincerely,

Gary Davis

We Care About Newtown (WeCAN)

23 Charter Ridge Drive, Sandy Hook                    February 14, 2007