A Problem With

Checks And Balances

To the Editor:

As one of about 400 people who attended the February 7 Legislative Council meeting, I was surprised and disappointed to learn from the council acting chair that it is too late for the council help its citizens determine whether it is in the best interests of the public to stop the construction of a town hall at Fairfield Hills, and that the council is powerless on this issue. I know my neighbors and my husband have been asking the council for help on this issue for more than a year. Did they just discover they had no power?

At the meeting, the council was informed by the first selectman that it has no power over him with respect to his priorities and actions relating to Fairfield Hills. There is a problem with the checks and balances of our democracy when our first selectman, at a public meeting, declares to our Legislative Council that it cannot stop him and has no authority over his actions.

There has never been a clear mandate from Newtown residents that we want a town hall at Fairfield Hills, particularly in light of more pressing town priorities. Those members of the public who spoke at the meeting were resoundingly supported by several standing ovations. The town leaders had to have heard how unhappy we are with priorities at Fairfield Hills, and the town’s lack of long-term planning and vision. However, the appeals provided fell on deaf ears.

Keith Jacobs has my gratitude for his attempts, together with Joe Borst, to be responsive to Newtown citizens. Mr Jacobs was informed at the meeting that his motion was out of order. From my vantage point, it was not Mr Jacobs and his motion, but our town leaders who are out of order.

I disagree with one aspect of The Bee’s article. It was not the first selectman’s explanations supporting the town hall that cooled the room. It was the fact that three-quarters of the public left at the break before the council’s regular business portion of the meeting, thinking the meeting was essentially over. Unfortunately, the acting chair “neglected” to inform the crowded room that after the break, the first selectman would take the opportunity during his report to reaffirm his position in support of the town hall at Fairfield Hills, with supporting comments from one of his consultants and Bob Geckle of the Fairfield Hills Authority. The reaction of the crowded room might have been quite different.

The first selectman has told the public he will move forward with a town hall at all costs. Is this what we call leadership in Newtown? A recent headline in The Bee’s Letter Hive stated “Beginnings of a Revolution?” No kidding. After the antics of our elected officials last week, those who were not motivated before certainly are now.

Sherri Davis

23 Charter Ridge Drive, Sandy Hook                    February 12, 2007