Editorial: Marty and Maureen

Written by The Ridgefield Press
Wednesday, 27 April 2011 00:00

A hard-working, non-partisan, pro-school Republican, Maureen Kozlark deserves to continue her work on the Board of Selectmen. Voters should support her in next Wednesday’s special election.

Both Ms. Kozlark, appointed by the selectmen in December, and Marty Heiser, the choice of the Republican Town Committee and a 118-to-100 majority at January’s Republican caucus, are strong candidates — smart, experienced, knowledgeable on the issues. What differs is the viewpoint they represent, the ideological company they keep.

A 14-year finance board veteran, Mr. Heiser embraces the Republican Town Committee outlook: good schools, of course, but restraining the growth of school spending to hold down taxes is the top priority.

With a decade on the school board, Ms. Kozlark is in the tradition of PTA Republicans who value fiscal responsibility but believe passionately in the mission of the schools. They see education as the primary task of a bedroom community such as Ridgefield and want spending adequate to support not just good but excellent teachers and programs, class sizes competitive with the state’s best schools, training and curriculum that keep classrooms in tune with best practices and alive with the excitement of learning.

Mr. Heiser, Ms. Kozlark — and Independent Party candidate Tony Di Preta — all favor strong schools and reasonable taxes. It’s a question of degree and perception. In these tough times, both Republicans backed slightly higher school spending but sought to reduce the school board’s request for a $2.9% increase. For the selectmen’s recommendation, Ms. Kozlark opposed a cut to 2%, backing a more modest 2.45% increase — a reduction of $318,000. Mr. Heiser voted for the finance board’s 1.81% school increase — cutting $850,000.

After the selectmen appointed Ms. Kozlark rather than Mr. Heiser, the Republican Town Committee howled and led the petition drive for the special election. They portrayed the appointment of a moderate, pro-school Republican as an outrage that reduced the party’s representation on the board. Really?

If there’s a group under-represented in this year’s budget wrangling, it’s the ‘PTA Republicans’ Ms. Kozlark has long and ably represented.

Yes, taxes should be reasonable. But educating Ridgefield’s children — preparing them for a competitive, fast-changing world — is the town’s most important job. Maureen Kozlark gives them an experienced, knowledgeable voice at the table of town government.