Council Takes No Action On 9/11 Resolution

By Jan Howard

The Legislative Council took no action regarding a request by resident James Allen of Main Street that it consider the adoption of a 9/11 Resolution for the Town of Newtown.

Following the reading of a letter that appears in today’s Letter Hive during public participation, Mr Allen, organizer of a grassroots effort to have Newtown support the resolution, urged support of the 9/11 Resolution.

The proposed resolution would call for support of the independent commission that is investigating the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“The resolution make common sense,” Mr Allen said, noting the success of the Family Steering Committee for the Independent 9/11 Commission is of  “great importance.

“You are setting precedent,” Mr Allen told the council members. “However you proceed, it will make a difference.”

Resident Peggy Neff said, “This is truth people are seeking. It is our chance to raise the flag for these people.”

Mr Allen’s presentation included a brief video clip of Erica Breitweiser, a 9/11 widow who serves on the Family Steering Committee.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal told council members that his office had received several calls in favor of the 9/11 Resolution.

No motion to consider the resolution was made, and no action was taken by the Legislative Council.

Council member Joseph DeCandido said the resolution was not an item the council could act upon. “It’s not an issue we should get involved in at this level,” he noted.

Fran Pennarola and Peggy Baiad echoed his sentiments.

“It’s not an issue we have time to devote to study,” Mr Pennarola said. “It is not appropriate for the 12 of us who are elected to do town business.”

Ms Baiad noted she was not sure what impact a resolution by the Newtown Legislative Council would have, “not that we don’t have sympathy for the families and their questions.”

The proposed resolution states that the town supports the Independent 9/11 Commission’s Family Steering Committee in its request for improvements and guarantees in the proceedings and performance of the commission. It also calls on the state’s US senators and representatives to “work diligently” toward legislation supporting the Family Steering Committee’s proposals and asks the Senate and House Intelligence Committees to strictly review any redactions in the final report that may be made by the Bush administration.

When Mr Allen questioned why there was no action, Chairman Don Studley said the council felt the resolution was not within its purview.

Mr Allen, in follow-up at the end of the meeting, said more than a hundred towns and cities have passed resolutions regarding the Patriot Act, which are similar in scope to the 9/11 Resolution.

Mr Allen was advised to speak to his Legislative Council representatives regarding having the item placed on the November 3 agenda. He has requested that the Board of Selectmen hold a town meeting or a referendum regarding the resolution. He said the council has the authority to direct the first selectman to call a town meeting.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, noting such meetings are usually held for financial expenditures, said he would ask legal counsel about the possibility of a special town meeting for residents to consider and vote on the 9/11 Resolution.

A film crew from the local news program The Questioning Citizen filmed the proceedings. According to a news release received Thursday morning, the program plans to conduct follow-up interviews to be broadcast on Charter Cable Television’s Community Access Channel 21, along with footage of the Legislative Council meeting.