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Our Future is at Stake

Clinton’s government is inefficient. Let me explain why I say that. Our structure developed in Colonial times when life was centered on work, family, community, and church. In fact, you had to have a church to receive a charter from the state. Few people traveled outside their area and most worked locally. There were few distractions. One means of interaction was the town meeting. This form of government to be honest and successful requires a high degree of public participation. They originally met in “the” church.

Fast forward to today. Most travel frequently and distractions abound. TV, the Internet, Facebook, Netflix, youth sports, college, vacations, scouting, and the list goes on. The end result is volunteerism, church attendance, and governmental involvement have suffered. Fewer than 50 percent bother to vote on local issues like our town budget or selecting local leaders. When the cat’s away, the mice will play. It’s the same with politics.

Additionally, running and funding a town and its school system have become very complex. Towns have increasingly turned to professional help. Enter the town manager/council form of local government. This structure gained prominence in the 20th century due to the aforementioned complexity, the need for continuity and long-range planning, and in response to corruption. Thirty-one Connecticut towns use the town manager form as do 55 percent of towns and cities in America. Only New England sticks with the town meeting.

Charter change is on our Nov. 6 election ballot. I encourage your readers to vote “Yes” on Question #3 to support the town manager structure. We are falling behind and our future is at stake. While I believe our current first selectman is well-qualified, this is rare. We mostly elect amateurs who were picked by unknown party insiders and it shows.

Selectman Phil Sengle (R)

Clinton