Misleading The Public

To the Editor:

I was very disturbed to read the article on the local section front page of Tuesday’s Danbury News-Times entitled “Newtown to vote today on budget” by Heather Barr. Legislative Council Chairman William Rodgers was quoted “…people fail to realize that not voting is tantamount to a no vote…”

This seems like a sly way to influence the “No” voters to stay at home. How many people read that and didn’t vote because they took it literally? The elderly are the most affected by the process, as well as the result, of the referendum. It is very difficult for many of them to get to the polls and reading Mr Rodgers’ comment may give them the false idea that they don’t have to vote in order to be heard saying “No! I’m on a fixed income and don’t want to be taxed out of the town where I’ve lived most of my 80 years.”

A member of our Legislative Council, or any governing body, has a responsible to not mislead the public.

It is also irresponsible of reporter Heather Barr and the Danbury News-Times to print such a one-sided statement on the morning of Newtown’s referendum when there is not time to correct it.

Sincerely,

William J. Seaman, Sr

Hanover Road, Newtown                                                     May 9, 2007