Date: Fri 17-Apr-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

council-freshmen

Full Text:

Council "Freshmen" Find Both Frustrations And Challenges In Office

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Ed Lucas moved to Newtown with his family 28 years ago at the age of 12 and

graduated from Newtown High School in 1976. He's lived in town ever since and

has always wanted to give something of himself back to the community.

So the Republican ran for the Legislative Council last year and was easily

elected to serve in District I. So far, however, Mr Lucas has been somewhat

disillusioned by the experience. He finds the council often operates without

the public in mind.

"To be honest with you, I've been a little bit disappointed with the whole

process," he said Tuesday. "Maybe I'm too new, but it just seems like people

talk and we don't listen. That's not what the process is all about. We were

elected by the people of Newtown. I'm part of the majority and it kind of

frightens me."

At a budget meeting in March, Mr Lucas attempted to re-open the Board of

Education budget for discussion. The council had voted to cut $800,000 from

the education proposal the week before and the Megans Circle resident felt the

issue needed further discussion. Six council members voted against any further

discussion on the plan, killing his motion.

"I didn't know what the six members who voted against opening it for

discussion were afraid of," he wondered. "We listened to people for an hour

urging us to reconsider the cuts and they still wouldn't re-open it."

Mr Lucas, the owner of Perfect Register of Newtown, a film output and scanning

company, said it is the sense of a few members that all the council decisions

are made by its finance committee and the other committees are supposed to

abide by them.

The rookie council member cast the lone dissenting vote on the $59.3 million

budget Tuesday night.

Mr Lucas is the husband of Sandy Lucas and the father of three children. He is

one of four members of the Legislative Council's freshman class -- the new

blood, the ones who bring a fresh perspective. The others are Republican Brian

White and Democrats Peggy Baiad and Tim Holian. They were all sworn in to

office just over four months ago.

Diverse Personalities

"It seems more like a year," Brian White joked. The certified public

accountant with Studley, White & Associates PC of Danbury said he has enjoyed

serving on the council and appreciates the many challenges the board must face

as it attempts to do what is in the best interest of Newtown.

"There are all kinds of diverse personalities on there with a lot of

experience," Mr White said. "You've got different business backgrounds, too,

but I think everyone on there has the best interest of the town at heart."

Nevertheless, Mr White shared some of Mr Lucas' frustrations over the way the

council handled the budget.

"Sometimes I think people go in with preconceived ideas about how things

should be," he said.

Frustration over the way the council handled the budget and other matters is

what prompted Mr White to run for a seat in District III.

"I used to pick up The Bee and read about the council. I didn't think it was

doing such a good job, so I figured it was either put up or shut up," he

explained.

The CPA said he finally decided to run after receiving some coaxing from

council members Will Rodgers and Donald Studley. He and Mr Studley are

business partners.

Mr White's wife, Sue, is an outspoken school supporter. The couple lives on

Castle Meadow Road and have three sons. Mr White is the president of the

Rotary Club of Danbury and also coaches lacrosse.

Earning Respect

Attorney Tim Holian decided to run for the council as a way of giving back to

the community where he grew up. His family is well respected here in Newtown,

and Mr Holian has earned admiration for his clear-headedness and great sense

of humor. In his first run for the council, he was the top vote-getter for all

of District II.

While he's enjoyed his first few months on board the council, Mr Holian has

observed parts of the process that need some cleaning up.

"The one thing that troubles me is that we go through the entire budget

process without ever having a firm grasp of revenue," Mr Holian noted.

Just this week, the council learned that the town would likely receive an

additional $600,000 in state aid for the 1998-99 fiscal year. That's a lot of

extra money to work with, Mr Holian pointed out. He wondered if the council

would have approached the budget differently had it known about this extra

money back in March.

"If we started the budget process a little later in the year -- even two weeks

later --we might be able to avoid some of the animosity and friction that we

often see," he said.

Mr Holian, who lives on Wendover Road, believes when it comes to the budget

process, it's often the tail wagging the dog.

"We pick a mill rate that we think would be acceptable to the town, then we

try to meet it. I don't think that is necessarily the best way to go about

it," said the attorney, whose law firm is located on Main Street, in the

shadow of the flagpole.

Mr Holian, a longtime friend of First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, serves on both

the ordinance and public works committees.

Meeting Challenges

Peggy Baiad admits she did not expect to win the election, but she joined Tim

Holian, Herb Rosenthal and other Democrats in the victory circle last

November.

Mrs Baiad, a realtor with William Raveis Realtors, said she has been amazed at

the amount of time it takes to be an effective council member. It has earned

her new respect for all those who have served over the years.

As for the budget process, the mother of four and wife of Tony Baiad said the

toughest challenge is determining what is best for all of Newtown.

"We are representing the whole town. We have to try and look at the whole

picture," she said.

Mrs Baiad said she admires all those who come to public hearings to speak up

for what they believe in. She said the council does listen to what they have

to say, despite what some school supporters believe.

The Budd Drive resident said she decided to run because she enjoys living in

Newtown and wants to help make it the best it can be.

"I like Newtown. I think it's a special place to live," she said. "I have

complaints sometimes, so I figured I might as well put my money where my mouth

is."