Don't Succumb To Fear

By SHANNON HICKS

Published: Oct 17, 2008 12:00 am

Donât Succumb To Fear

To the Editor:

Last week, âMr Kortze told The Bee that attempting to move forward at this time, considering the current state of national and global financial markets, would be futile. Mr Kortze said no matter how the school board decides to move forward, the money to fund the project does not exist today.â

Despite the crisis in the financial markets, it appears that Mr Kortzeâs statement that there is no money to fund capital projects and his implication that the school board is wasting its time in continuing to plan for the HS expansion project is overly dramatic. Is Mr Kortz recommending that all capital projects be stopped and reassessed?

The state legislature expects to approve the voter-supported $38.8 million high school expansion in January 2009. The first installment of the high school expansion project was expected to be bonded in January 2009 and the second installment in January 2010. Luckily, we are not bonding the money today or tomorrow during one of the most volatile times in the history of Wall Street. Even if we did bond the money today, it may not be as difficult as Mr Kortz suggests. On Tuesday of this week, the town of Avon sold $26 million in bonds to pay off their high school expansion project within 15 minutes.

Last Monday, the state treasurer, Denise Nappier, testified to the Banking Committee that even with the worst-case scenario of the credit market not rebounding, Connecticut is able to weather this storm until April 2009 and then at that point, the state may face a cash flow problem. While other states are facing significant credit issues, Ms Nappier reports Connecticut has managed its debt conservatively with enough cushion. She is cautiously optimistic that our economy will rebound.

Also, I spoke to Sharon Dixonpay from the debt management department of the state treasurerâs office last week. Ms Dixonpay reported that the state is closely monitoring the credit situation and the state has access to the bond markets. They plan to be prudent with their decisions on the interest rate for bonding. There may be some disruption on some of the debt issuance for short term borrowing but she stated that municipalities should have access to the bond market. She also mentioned that the state has a healthy Rainy Day Fund to help during this mortgage meltdown period.

Governor Rell is also working on a plan to help small businesses and municipalities.

I am hopeful that the $700 billion infusion, the fed rate reduction, and additional government investment in major banks will also have a positive effect on the market. Seems to me the municipal bond market would be a safe investment vehicle during these turbulent times. Connecticut municipalities do not default on their loans. At Chris Lyddyâs press conference, the Connecticut Attorney General stated Connecticut towns are not allowed to go bankrupt.

We must continue with the discussions to address the high school overcrowding issue and not succumb to the fear on Wall Street. âWe have nothing to fear but fear itself.â

Po Murray

38 Charter Ridge, Sandy HookÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â October 15, 2008

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Enjoy A DJ Dance Party, Arts And Crafts, And More At Summer Luau

The Way We Were

The Editor suggest a meeting between the "Rock This Democracy " and the Police Commission. As a former Police Commissioner the Chief should have followed the chain of command and discussed this with the Police Commission. The Chief reports to the Elected Police Commission not our Republican First Selection. Can't help but feel this is Republican politics again making an issue out of a non issue.

Assembly Ordinance?

I support Chief Kullgren’s request to explore permitting, and cost-sharing for large gatherings. The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, and I fully support the constitutional right to free speech and assembly. However, where and how often these protests occur matters. Main Street is not just a symbol — it’s a vital artery for daily life in town. When events are held there monthly, and at increasing scale, they cause disruption to residents, businesses, and traffic. While the Rock This Democracy group may describe these protests as unique or urgent, the frequency — roughly once every two weeks this spring — suggests more of a recurring series than a singular, spontaneous moment of civic expression. This isn’t about silencing anyone. It’s about fairness, public safety, and fiscal responsibility. Every time a protest happens, our police department is forced to assign resources, often on overtime. That expense adds up quickly. If any group wants to use public space regularly, particularly in a way that impacts traffic and requires police presence, then it’s reasonable for the town to consider permitting and cost-sharing — just as we do for other organized events like races, festivals, or parades. Let’s protect everyone’s rights — including the right of the community to function smoothly and the right of taxpayers not to bear undue cost for repeated events. I trust the Council to consider a reasonable path forward that balances speech with responsibility.

David, your passion for transparency would carry more weight if it weren’t routinely wielded like a cudgel. Let's set the record straight: no one is against easier access to documents or better online availability—we all want an informed public. But there's a difference between constructive advocacy and the kind of grandstanding that costs this town time, morale, and taxpayer money. You cite Ridgefield’s practices—great. Let's talk about that like adults. But instead, what we see is a steady stream of accusatory posts, legal challenges, and FOIA blitzes aimed less at solving problems and more at creating headlines. It’s not “slander” to point out that your approach often does more to divide and exhaust than to help. I’ve been at the very meetings you claim are inaccessible or opaque. I’ve seen your group turn logistical hiccups into conspiracy theories. I’ve watched as staff—who already work overtime—are dragged into another fishing expedition while real civic needs are left hanging. You’re not just pushing for access; you’re using the tools of open government to grind its gears to a halt. That’s not progress. That’s obstruction dressed up as advocacy. And the people paying for it—literally—are your neighbors. Let’s stop pretending it’s just about uploading PDFs. The issue here is how we engage. We can have real conversations about modernization without constant accusations, FOIA skirmishes, and Facebook pile-ons. Until then, I’ll continue to call out tactics that undermine, not uplift, our town.

Calls For Policies To Create Greater Transparency

The bottom line is this: costs are up, and no group—including teachers—is exempt. Ignoring Anthem’s recommended 22% increase last year may have directly caused the $2 million shortfall. Everyone has to share in the fix. That might mean higher premiums and leaner benefits. Complaints alone won’t solve the problem—realistic solutions will. I urge all Newtown Teachers to email their Union leaders and express their support for higher premiums.

Discusses Town Self-Funded Insurance Plan

Its really easy to make assertions and cast doubts from behind a keyboard....a little too easy aparently. You might try conducting the actual research BEFORE doing it next time. If you do, you too will find that there's no need to imagine such a policy to improve public transparency and participation. Take a look at Ridgefield's P&Z meeting agendas on their website for starters. They are just one town that provide links to electronic copies of applications and other public documents, so that their commissioners and residents can easily access them and be well-informed, before meetings and public hearings occur and without making them drive to town hall (during business hours) to ask their land use staff to pull the files and make copies of them, saving everyone time (time is money), and gasoline, and missed work. Most applicants alrleady submit electronic copies, and for those who don't, it's a lot easier for a staffer to scan them once, than to have to make copies every time someone asks for them. And please don't misrepresent or slander those who advocate for smart, low impact & sustainable development policies and practices as 'anti-development'.

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Don't Succumb To Fear

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