To the Editor:

By CURT CLARK

Published: Oct 24, 2008 12:00 am

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my support for our 112th State Representative, DebraLee Hovey. Since 2003, DebraLee has been in Hartford fighting for Newtown. Her opponent has been working with the majority party to siphon the tax dollars we send to Harford, redirecting them to Bridgeport. Statements she made at The Newtown Bee-sponsored debate Wednesday night such as â...the majority of the legislature is made up of suburban legislators. That is why our big cities are suffering the way they are,â make me wonder who she would actually advocate for entrusted with our seat in the General Assembly.

Ms Hovey has a record in Harford; a record which she can be proud of. Unfortunately her opponent routinely cherry picks from it attempting to make a case for change. Rather than looking the entirety of Ms Hoveyâs accomplishments, which includes securing $600,000 in reimbursement to Newtown for the educational offices at Fairfield Hills, she chooses to criticize committee votes or votes cast on a larger bills that may have had otherwise good provisions in them. Ms Mount apparently does not understand that a legislatorâs duty is to weigh the good against the bad in a bill and judge each on its entirety, not just on one or two small items it may contain.

Because Ms Mount has no public record to scrutinize, it is easy for her to cast stones. All we heard from her Monday night was that her father was a dedicated public servant and for that, I am grateful to him. She states that she was the director of legislative affairs for Bridgeport. At the debate, she did not give a single accomplishment she could take credit for in that capacity. She then said, âI was also, in my duties on the Board of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities which is a bipartisan group of first selectman and mayors from all over the state.â A requirement for sitting on this board is you must be an elected official, a credential currently not on her resume. If Ms Mount must rely on credentials, some fabricated, stopping short of detailing accomplishments, do we really want to take a chance with her representing us?

We know DebraLee Hovey works in Hartford for the interests of Newtown and Monroe. Using her stature as ranking member of the education committee, she will continue to pressure the legislature to better fund education in Newtown. Her opponent still harbors concerns for Connecticutâs largest cities including her alma mater, Bridgeport. Please join me in voting to send DebraLee Hovey back to Harford to represent only Newtown, Monroe, and the 112th District.

Jeff Capeci

52 Bear Hills Road, 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 October 22, 2008

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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.

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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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