Editorial: Vote next Tuesday

Wednesday, 28 October 2009 14:32

A welcome race among four good candidates for the Board of Finance. A question on charter revisions that would expand the first selectman’s and selectmen’s terms and how budget cuts are handled. Another question on whether the town should change its liquor laws to allow package stores. There’s plenty of decisions awaiting Wilton voters at next Tuesday’s Election Day.

Let’s hope that the passion apparent in the campaigning for the Board of Finance will generate a respectable turnout — at least higher than the usually disappointing showing at the polls in town election years of late. The Bulletin has received many more letters about the finance board candidates than for local contests in the recent past.

On the ballot are Warren Serenbetz, the Republican incumbent chairman, Andy Pforzheimer, the Democratic incumbent, and two candidates new to elected town offices — Republican Gail Lavielle and Chris Stroup, unaffiliated, running on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Serenbetz and Mr. Pforzheimer show they can work together with members of the opposition parties and make smart, reasoned choices on tax and spending recommendations, particularly in these tough economic times. Both Ms. Lavielle and Mr. Stroup are promising choices for bringing fresh blood and takes to the town budgeting process. They demonstrate the kind of professionalism, fairness, energy and responsiveness good finance board officials need.

Wilton voters face a tough job picking three out of these four good candidates, and are in fact limited to voting for just two. Learn what you can about these neighbors willing to serve, read what our readers have said in the many letters since Labor Day, and exercise your right to vote. We don’t believe there are undeserving or ill-advised choices this time. Wilton wins no matter what.

The latest Charter Commission, made up of thoughtful, respected town leaders who have served many years in elected office and who hail from both major parties, have come up with sensible recommendations on the Board of Selectmen’s terms of office (the selectmen’s would be staggered and limited to two, four-year terms, with the first selectman’s term expanded to four years); modified procedures in how selectmen’s budget cuts, as recommended by the finance board, would ultimately be handled (the selectmen would have an option to overrule the finance board by a supermajority 4 to 1 vote, on where the cuts would be made instead of a take it or leave it approach); and petitions for government action would need to reach a higher benchmark, needing 2% of the electorate. The selectmen-town meeting form of government that Wiltonians love would remain intact.

The question on whether to change the liquor laws to allow package stores in Wilton should receive widespread support. Its time has come. Change often brings out the specter of some of the worse fears and trepidations people can conjure. Going “damp” by allowing liquor sales in restaurants a dozen years ago was not the end of the world and didn’t harm Wilton in ways critics back then said it would. This step, allowing package stores, won’t either.

Whatever your views, be sure to vote.