Listen To

The People

To the Editor:

The public demonstrated a significant show of strength on February 7, 2007 at the Legislative Council meeting. By my count there were more than 400 citizens there, overwhelmingly expressing a common and central theme: Stop the Fairfield Hills expenditures, especially the town hall until sufficient information is presented justifying such expenditures and reset the town’s priorities based upon current and immediate needs.

Had I been a member of that legislative body receiving these arguments I certainly would have exercised all of my powers as a member to look into the public’s concerns and would have expressed that to them. Instead, the Legislative Council gave a multitude of spurious reasons why they had no power to do anything, when in fact they do have the power. What they don’t have is the will to do something about it.

Several council members, sympathetic to the public cause, tried to introduce a resolution that would have been responsive to the public’s wish that expenditures cease at Fairfield Hills until several (81) questions had been answered to their satisfaction, only to be ruled out-of-order. It was out-of-order because the Legislative Council deemed the meeting to be for listening purposes only and not for action. One council member said if you had only come to us six months ago we might have been able to do something. Po Murray, a very articulate young lady, pointed out to this member later in the discussion portion of the meeting that she had personally made several requests reflecting the same sentiments expressed here tonight over a year ago. Silence.

The irony here is that these representatives were elected to represent us, yet the impression I got was that there is a great divide between the public, Legislative Council and the first selectman with the public on one side and government on the other. The first selectman, in effect, said I’m going forward with my plans for a town hall regardless of what you people think or say, and if you don’t like it vote me out of office, to which I say; Hmm?  I am saddened by his response, because I have been a supporter of him for some time. If his decision to move forward at all cost is by design then the town has some serious thinking to do before November. If, on the other hand, it’s the result of bad recommendations from those advising him, then the first selectman has some serious thinking to do. I believe there are ways to accomplish all of our needs, perhaps not all at once.

Bottom line: Listen to the people; it’s their money you’re spending.

A.P. Roznicki

169 Hanover Road, Newtown                                  February 14, 2007