The Stages Of Change

To the Editor:

There is an established process that people go through when they experience change in their life, especially unexpected significant change. The typical stages are denial, anger, bargaining, and finally acceptance.

Over the next six months Newtown will see a particularly human reaction to the changes brought about by the recent election. The change, for many, was unexpected and significant. A long-term first selectman was turned out of office. Other elected officials either did not run for reelection or were also defeated at the polls. The residents of Newtown were clearly restless and expressed their desire for change at the polls.

As a community we’ll go through the change process together. We are already seeing the denial stage playing out. The former first selectman seems to think he was reelected. Witness key, last-minute appointments made by the former first selectman or the recent attempt to block the new first selectman’s evaluation of key issues in town. Some Legislative Council members and elected officials are denying that the community voted for change, and especially a reevaluation of where we are on Fairfield Hills. People are rationalizing the election results by saying the “competition” misled the public or spread misinformation.

The next stage of anger will soon be upon us and it may not be pretty or comfortable. Expect vicious and personal attacks on those who supported change in the community or confronted the status quo. Be prepared for the “Trojan Horses” who will try to deny our first selectman, Joe Borst, from responding to the community’s cry for change and new ideas. Anticipate that existing elected and appointed officials may give the newly elected individuals the cold shoulder, refuse to appoint them to key committees, and even try to block change before it has had a chance to be discussed.

I look forward to the next stages of bargaining and acceptance, after all that’s what the community voted for. There is a lot of work to be done. We have a group of very dedicated individuals, both old and new guard. They all have experience and ideas to contribute. We are grateful that they have volunteered their time and efforts. When we get past the shock that Newtown is changing, we’ll be able to harness this energy and we’ll all be the better for it.

Lets hope that those who experienced this unexpected and significant change have the character and good will to move through the change process as quickly and graciously as possible and serve the best interest of the voters of Newtown.

Bruce Walczak

12 Glover Avenue, Newtown                                     December 5, 2007