No Apologies For

Democratic Process Of Change

To the Editor:

In a recent article in The Newtown Bee, Democratic Committee Chairman Earl Smith stated his leadership and party are under attack with outrageous claims by Newtown residents. The truth is residents’ comments are not based on party affiliation, but rather on the town’s administration’s ineffectiveness. First Selectman Herb Rosenthal stated, “The gloves may come off.” If that is the case, maybe then Newtown voters will finally get some real answers to their questions rather than be stonewalled.

When DNC member Mr McKenna states, “Republicans have taken a mean-spirited approach” are “hell-bent on creating controversy,” are “creating fantasy of a bunch of lies,” are “misleading people that do not know any better,” and “there is a lot of distortion of fact,” he provides no specifics. Nor does Mr Rosenthal provide any specifics when he states that “there have been a lot of misstatements, and some are outright false.”

The Bee also stated a resident “admitted” she worked to get residents to go to a council meeting. Are voters expected to apologize for these actions? If Mr Rosenthal could find 600 supporters to come to a council meeting to support him or find more than four people to write letters to the editor that are not either politically connected to him or whose job is not tied to him, I would applaud him, not ask for an apology.

DNC’s concerns are because the residents of Newtown are speaking out due to their administration’s ineffectiveness. Mr Rosenthal and the DNC are upset that the Newtown voters are using the democratic process to effectuate change within their community. While Mr Rosenthal’s administration will not describe what statements made against them are false, they could at least explain why they take such issue with Newtown residents trying to take back control of their own town.

Phil Dinielli

9 Copper Creek Circle, Newtown                                 March 27, 2007