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Let’s Shine Light

Thursday, July 20 and Monday, July 24 are important dates in the Clinton political process. On the 20th, the Republican Town Committee (RTC) will endorse candidates for the Nov. 7 election, including the Board of Selectmen and other elected positions. On the 24th, the Democratic Town Committee (DTC) will do the same. The difference is that the DTC process is open to any registered Democrat and hence an open caucus. The RTC process is open to RTC members only, but observers are allowed. I’ve proposed that the RTC revert to the open-caucus process of the past. It’s undecided at this time. Any process that’s open to party members provides transparency and potentially better government.

Both of these party meetings will be very interesting this year. There is growing public discontent over how the town is run and in some cases over lack of transparency and even potential conflicts of interest. For too long the same core of people have been controlling the town and are able to do so with the lack of attendance at these obscure meeting. Let’s shine light on the process.

Why do I bring this to your attention now? Because it appears there will be challenges from within each party. Each town committee with present slates selected by party insiders. Then, according to good information, other candidates will be nominated from the floor. If those candidates fail to be endorsed, there’s a strong possibility that some will run primary elections against the party’s choices. To force a party primary, each candidate will have to circulate a petition gathering signatures of five percent of the registered voters of that party. I encourage your readers to watch for them at their doors—this will give them a real voice in their party’s selection and in November.

Philip C. Sengle

Clinton

Philip C. Sengle is a member of the Republican Town Committee and serves on the Board of Police Commissioners.