To the Editor:

By KAAREN VALENTA

Published: Oct 31, 2003 12:00 am

To the Editor:

Change for the sake of change is harmless when it comes to clothes, hairstyles, and cars. But when it has to do with an experienced and competent first selectman such as Herb Rosenthal, change for the sake of change is not such a great idea.

A number of years ago Newtown voters exercised their right to trade in a trusted, reliable first selectman for a newer, shinier model. Elected because our citizens wanted âa change,â this man, Roderick McKenzie, was a one-term mistake. Biennial elections limited the damage to two years.

Though I am a Republican to the core, I strongly urge Newtown voters to reelect our fine First Selectman, Herb Rosenthal. The phrase âItâs time for a changeâ may have a nice ring to it, but the echoes can hurt for years.

Sincerely,

Josh Hull

6 Fern Lane, NewtownÂ 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 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â October 27, 2003

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I was talking about the state being forced to turn over our voter data files to the federal government. Last I checked States are in charge of elections. I show my license every time I vote. There is no evidence of wide scale nton-citizens voting in this country. The Heritage Foundation looked into this and could not find a problem. If the so-called Save Voting law were to be passed, I, as a woman who changed my name when I got married, would have to go through additional work to prove who I am because my name no longer matches what was on my birth certificate.

Elections Have Consequences XXI

Considering showing proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections is an 80/20 issue. Also, explain why you would be against showing ID to vote? Just curious, if you entered a foreign country illegally, would you expect to be able to vote in that foreign countries elections?

This article notes that a “director of operations is largely the same thing as a town administrator.” But, the Charter states that “[t]he First Selectman shall be the Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the Town...” So, it appears that Newtown already has a town administrator. Also, the Charter outlines some of the responsibilities of the Administrative Officer (i.e., First Selectman), for example, in sections 4-40 [employees], 6-05(b) [creating a budget], and 7-15(d) [purchasing]. Would the Director of Operations have any say over employee performance reviews and decisions related to hiring or dismissing employees? Would s/he be the one to work with individual departments when developing a budget? Would s/he be considered a purchasing authority? If not, then how will the position actually help reduce the administrative workload that the First Selectman now does? Also, will the position include enough leadership responsibilities to entice those with the skills that the town needs to offload those responsibilities from the First Selectman? Perhaps answers to these questions (and more) could be a part of the work of the next Charter Revision Committee.

Town Administrator, Town Manager, Director Of Operations?

Voting Rights - Ct. is one of 24 states being sued by the DOJ for not turning over our statewide voter registration lists including driver's license and social security numbers.

A very Happy Birthday to Mary Allen on this momentous occasion. During my time as First Selectman, I found great joy in participating in centennial celebrations at Stone Bridge and throughout Newtown. Providing a formal citation for a milestone like yours remains one of my proudest memories of public service.

Stone Bridge Center Resident Mary Allen Gaffney Celebrates 100th Birthday

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