To the editor,

By virtue of their determined hands and eloquent tongues, the founding fathers of our nation set forth to construct, in will and in word, the greatest nation thus far known to man. Not a nation of tyrannical rule, or of self-satisfying gluttony, but one requiring the dedication of its citizens, the honor of its civil and governing servants, and the sweat all of living under its banner, to sever any and all bonds that may limit this nation and the freedom of its people.

Since the declaration of our founding fathers, many generations have fought, bled, and sweat to maintain these ideals. Unfortunately, it seems we are now at an impasse. We are currently writing the future history of America, and this period will not be known as the technological revolution, or social renaissance, or even the time of great calm. This time will be known as the Era of American Apathetic Atrophy.

No one can blame us. We currently have a governing body which is no longer of, for, and by the people, a large percentage of our population is too busy breaking its back to barely remain just slightly in debt, while the rest of the population works to either take advantage of the hard workers, or to take advantage of the system of civil benefits that come from those who earn an honest day’s pay. All the while, we refuse to invest in our future, and in an attempt to appear to be a global power we teach our children to copy and paste their way to a future where technology has plateaued and math, science, art, proper English, and physical ability no longer matter.

In reality, everyone should blame us. Not just the top 1 percent, not just those supposedly serving us on the Hill, and not just big business. We, the people, each and every one of us, are to blame. How we live, how we are governed, how our neighbor lives, and more is on the shoulders of each citizen. The responsibility is shared by all, and here are some words of advice for those willing to listen, but more importantly willing to act. Peaceful protest is a powerful tool, but value cannot be gained from the soil unless dirt stained hands have removed the rock, tilled the soil and planted the seed.

For the big business:

Employees are not just tools to be used, bent, and replaced. They form a symbiotic relationship with the company, each depending on the other to provide what is needed for survival. If a company’s employees prosper, so shall the company. This also holds true for the employee. If you dedicate yourself to your job, not just your paycheck, you may find the rewards to be far more fruitful.

A key function of business is investment. Companies invest in land, buildings, technology, and tools among other necessities. Recently, however, it seems that one critical component is overlooked by American companies; America herself. What many major companies forget, or rather choose to ignore to increase the bulge in the wallets of their corporate leaders, is that by investing in American personnel, buildings, and equipment, they are directly investing in the economy that will purchase their goods or services. Again, if these employees prosper, they will have more money to spend, and if the company does business correctly, and makes a quality item, the people will provide a proportional return on investment. This investment might appear to only provide long term gains, but don’t let it fool you, this method will not only provide returns, it will provide strong long term stability that will maintain those profits. In order for this to be a true success the American people must dedicate themselves to buying American goods. Remember that symbiotic relationship?

For the government:

No one should ever claim a government position in order to receive personal gain. These are positions of honor, meant to serve the people of this nation.

Always be accountable. Base your votes and decisions on what is best for the people, not necessarily what is best for your party. Unfortunately we have a two party system, this means it is all the more important that the parties work as a team of balanced forces, not as roadblocks on the path to our nation’s future.

Taxpayers’ money is not your money. Just like a bank, or any other loaning entity, there exists an expectation of return on investment. Be certain of the return before spending.

The people of this nation must also serve the government. Voting isn’t a right, or a privilege, it is an obligation. However, the obligation is not just in the act of voting, the obligation comes from casting an informed and decisive vote. Inform yourself, read a newspaper, then read ten more. Search online, then converse with friends, neighbors, and even childhood bullies. Information is above all the most important tool to ever be wielded by mankind.

In conjunction with voting, you should be attending your town/city meetings, as well as, taking part in your community. The more we volunteer in our community and serve our neighbors, the more we will reduce the financial burden on our government.

In regards to financial burden, pay your taxes. No questions here. We are all obliged to do our part including this one. Taxes provide necessary services that allow us to live our lives with comforts that the majority of the world’s population can barely imagine. If you are concerned about how the government will spend your money, put your mind at ease, you made an informed vote and your candidate will wisely allocate your money to serve your needs in the best possible fashion.

For the people:

The grandparents of Generation X have said that “things need to change; the state of our nation is not what it once was, or what it has the potential to be.” The parents of Generation X have grown up in this world, and they have repeated the words of their mothers and fathers. Now, Generation X is hurtling through adulthood, buying houses, developing careers, and genuinely pursuing happiness. They too repeat the words of the generations before them. Besides this feeling of unease, these generations share another common misconception. They believe that our nation’s state of affairs is entirely generated by our government and big business, and that the people of this nation are powerless to make any significant change. These ideas could not be further from the truth, if anyone had the power and ability to make the necessary changes that our nation needs, it would be the people. After at least three generations of people noticing the need for change, don’t you think it is time to make it happen?

These needed changes must first come from the home. If we expect any changes to happen outside of our house we must first breed them within our walls and in our families. Then, like a pebble cast into the lake, these ideals will spread through our towns, and propagate through our states. Then the government officials and big business leaders will be left with one of two options, either listening to the demands of the people, or ideally, they too have changed and will act in the same accord as the rest of the people.

To get there we must realize our potential. We must be better than our current selves in every way possible. Every way, whether it is through flossing our teeth or recycling or starting a neighborhood watch, no task is too small or large to improve. Then we must teach our children to be respectful and to respect themselves and their abilities. It is essential that we demonstrate proper values and show them the difference between right and wrong, and that they understand the importance of  helping others as often as possible (these lessons need to be taught at home, this is not a task for school teachers, they are there to educate on verse not vice). We must work together to improve our homes, our neighbor’s homes, as well as the towns we live in. The responsibility of a village does not only lie in raising a child, but also in caring for the village, its people and its future.

In closing, the United States of America is a beautiful land, with amber fields, purple mountains, and gorgeous waterways. As a land it has many astounding resources, however, these are not the elements that make America so great, her true greatness comes from her people. The ideal defining characteristics are of calloused hands, kind hearts and a desire for a better future.

This ideal no longer fits, some now may even claim us to be idle handed, afraid of our shadows, and self-centered. We must remember who we are, we must have pride in ourselves and in what we do, and we must no longer fear the world around us. To do this we must realize that there are no shortcuts.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Michael Opuszynski

Beacon Falls

To the editor,

Our first December in office was busy and productive, filled with meetings, appointments, and visits with the many citizens who stopped by Town Hall. As we settled into our new routine, getting to know all of the town employees, we also made it a priority to acquaint ourselves with each town board and commission, attending as many of those meetings as physically possible. A new website, a CERT program, and a town-wide clean-up were all addressed.

The town of Beacon Falls’ website has been without a webmaster since its inception. Under my direction, Ed Groth has been named to fill that position, and the website is targeted to be updated and fully operational by the end of January. Please visit the site often, because the site is intended to foster communication and ensure transparency.

The unprecedented natural events of the past year have made clear the urgency of preparation training. Hurricane Irene was manageable because town staff was available to respond to residents’ needs, but Storm Albert was another matter; emergency personnel had their hands full tending to their own homes and families. Therefore, I will institute a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program in Beacon Falls. Training will begin during the last week of January, and the program should be up and running by the beginning of February. Please contact Town Hall for more information or to volunteer.

Among our administration’s first challenges was one shared by every municipality in Connecticut — organizing and carrying out a major clean-up after the October storm. I am pleased to state that we sailed through with minimal pain or expense to the town. I am extremely proud of our Public Works Department and grateful to the citizens who stepped up and took on this challenge.

In the past, Beacon Falls would take estimates, hire a contractor and wait for a 75 percent reimbursement from the federal government through FEMA. The one FEMA-approved, local (but out-of- town) contractor gave me an estimate of $60,000. We would have had to front the entire bill, and then wait for at least one year for FEMA to reimburse us, at which point we would receive only $45,000. The initial cost to Beacon Falls would be $60,000 to address a winter storm, with the entire winter still ahead of us; the final cost to the town, $15,000. (Beacon Falls is yet awaiting FEMA money from past storms.)

Having run on a platform of small government, fiscal conservatism and self-determination, I found this plan to be unacceptable. Conferring with second Selectman Dave D’Amico, whose area of expertise is public works, and Eddie Bea, the director of Public Works, I ascertained that, partnering with a local contractor, our own town’s employees could incorporate the clean-up within a regular work week. An in-town firm was hired to collect the brush for $9,600; this was accomplished within one week, and the town crew disposed of the brush.

As we enter 2012, I acknowledge that each month will undoubtedly bring its own unique challenges, but I am confident that Beacon Falls will meet each situation with a spirit of unity and excellence. I wish everyone a very happy new year.

Gerard F. Smith

First Selectman, Beacon Falls

So often the letters (the Citizen’s News) receives are to complain or berate. I’d like to shine a light on a jewel that the people of Beacon Falls might not realize they have — the Beacon Falls Pharmacy.

Not only do they have a beautiful store with unique gifts at very reasonable prices, but Bob and Marion Bradley go out of their way to provide superior customer service. For example, I went in to replenish my diabetic testing supplies. The bill came to over $70. Bob pointed out a comparable product that was half the price for double the product. He in essence, saved the town $91.

Will I shop there again? Of course I will.

You can’t get that quality service from mail-order. I encourage anyone who hasn’t been to the Beacon Falls Pharmacy to stop in and see all they have.

Sue Mis

Beacon Falls Town Nurse

To the editor,

I would like to know why citizens such as myself have to wait so long for our state government to conduct background checks on people eager to go to work.

(Gov. Dannel) Malloy says he wants to get people working, so I think it’s time he let the agencies that he oversees that are responsible for the checks to begin doing the job we the taxpayers are paying them to do. The normal waiting time is supposed to be six to seven weeks. We have been waiting now for 10 weeks; we recently have been told that it will still be another three to four weeks. The federal government conducted their checks in about six weeks, and they are much bigger than little Connecticut.

I contacted the governor’s office via e-mail and got the typical reply that we will look into it. (Yeah right.) The job we are waiting to start is driving a school bus, I appreciate the fact that these checks are done having a 10 year old that rides the buses to and back home. I also applaud the bus company on their training that is given to all employees so that our precious children are kept safe. Until I began the training process I had no idea what it actually takes to become a driver. You just don’t grab the keys and go.

So, it would be nice to be able to earn a week’s pay if someone would get off their butt and do their job.

Richard Blanc

Prospect

Kyle Brennan

Round of Applause

The Candy Cane Classic is a very nice holiday tournament idea around these parts for a change. Unfortunately, due to the tight Naugatuck Valley League schedule and CIAC regulations on how many games a team can play during the regular season, most NVL teams can’t afford the chance to play in early-season or holiday tournaments. But Woodland, Ansonia, Oxford, and Amity found a nice way to utilize their nonleague opening for games and set up a pair of four-team tournaments for the boys and girls. Sure, it’s not a tournament the quality of the Maui Invitational, but it’s a unique opportunity to play for a tournament title and face a nonconference opponent in the process. A big thumbs-up to all the coaches and athletic directors involved in making it work.

Chocolate-covered peanut butter balls are incredibly delicious. I didn’t even know they existed before I found them at the center of the cookie tray a neighbor brought over to us. I like chocolate. I like peanut butter. Therefore, common sense would dictate that I like chocolate-covered peanut butter balls. The main reason I’m writing this is because the last time I wrote about holiday food (last fall and winter, I had a short piece on pie), I legitimately had some readers bring me pie. Here’s hoping the new year starts in similar fashion.

Word from the Woods

Girls Basketball

After starting the season 0-4, the Woodland girls have begun to turn their fortunes around with two victories sandwiched around Christmas. The Hawks earned their first win of the year last Thursday with a 56-23 win over Derby. Nicole Fowler scored a career-high 19 points to lead Woodland while Carli Mariotti had eight. Becky Hale contributed seven while Shannon Meany and Andrea Piccolo each had six and Alma Rizvani added five. In the semifinals of the Candy Cane Classic Tuesday at Amity, Woodland won its second-straight by beating Ansonia, 36-25. The Hawks held the Chargers to just 13 percent shooting and Meany scored a game-high 17 points. Mariotti added six for the Hawks, who were set to play Amity in the tournament championship on Wednesday in the final game of the calendar year. Woodland is back in action on Tuesday when it travels to Wolcott before a home game on Jan. 6 against Crosby.

Boys Swimming

The Woodland boys fell to 0-3 on the season after a 95-81 nonleague loss to Pomperaug last Thursday. Event winners for the Hawks included Andy O’Dell (200 free, 500 free), Eric Dietz (50 free), Mike Christiano (diving), Patrick O’Dell (100 fly, 100 back), Aiden Music (100 breast), and the 400 free relay team of Dietz, Andrew Cullen, and the O’Dell brothers. Woodland will enjoy the next week and a half away from dual-meet competition before resuming the Naugatuck Valley League season with a home meet against Naugatuck on Jan. 10.

Lips to CN’s Ear

“We moved Steph [Lima] off the point guard spot and she’s getting more shots. We have that second scorer now and we’re looking for a third scorer to creep in.”

Naugatuck girls basketball coach Jodie Ruccio after the Greyhounds’ 58-37 win over Wilby on Tuesday night. The victory was Naugy’s fourth of the season, surpassing last season’s total of three wins. Stephanie Lima is establishing herself as not only as a nice scoring complement to Lauren Piroscafo, but also as a player with a nose for the ball as she grabbed 11 rebounds against Wilby and 16 the game prior against Kennedy.

To the editor,

Special thanks to the Elks Lodge 967, Jim Desmarais, Ted Kosko and the folks that assisted inside and outside my home. I am very grateful to everyone involved.

The Naugatuck senior community is very lucky, indeed, to have such a caring organization.

Thank you again.

Stella March

Naugatuck

My husband and I would like to express our appreciation to the Elks Lodge 967 Home Assistance Program, especially to Jim Desmarais and his “merry band” of helpers who arrived cheerfully in their bright colorful vests ready to work.

It was especially amazing because it was only two days after Thanksgiving that they gave up some of their holiday weekend to help us. The leaves and brush disappeared in no time considering our backyard is quite large.

Again our thanks to all the volunteers who did such a beautiful job.

Margaret and John Cobbol

Naugatuck

To the editor,

As almost everyone knows by now, our Region 16 superintendent and Board of Education are attempting to rush a $47 million spending proposal to referendum. To their credit, they did hold a series of meetings to explain the building project and engage an apathetic public; but it appears the suggestions that were offered by residents who did attend were largely ignored. I called Region 16 asking for the minutes of the informational meetings and was told no minutes are available despite much note taking during the sessions.

To the superintendent’s and board’s discredit, they are now trying to rush their proposal through using, in some cases, reprehensible scare tactics such as when Superintendent (James) Agostine suggested we might have a Columbine incident in Beacon Falls if Beacon Falls voters didn’t sign on to this lopsided spending proposal. I’m sure he knows nothing short of airport type security could stop a Columbine incident anywhere. Most of us know by now that Superintendent Agostine is leaving Beacon Falls and won’t be here or accountable when the surprises begin to emerge such as when the mill rates double from what it is currently projected to be.

It took a long time to develop this comprehensive and relatively complicated proposal, but now time is of the essence and the superintendent and board are trying to rush this to vote.

Skeptics would say this is a deliberate tactic which minimizes scrutiny of the proposal because under closer examination it becomes much less appealing. As residents get their arms around this project they begin to ask questions such as why do we need to spend $2 million for new offices at Algonquin when Community school is in near move-in condition save roof repairs and other miscellany. Mayor Chatfield is quoted in the Citizens News stating that “[Community’s] roof needs repair, but the rest of the school underwent a renovation 10 years ago and is in good shape.” He further states, “It’s one of the most sturdy schools in the region”. People ask, Why not fix the roof and let Region 16 staff move into Community school? The $2 million savings could be used to reduce the total cost of the project or to benefit students.

As it stands now, approximately 70 to 75 percent of each tax dollar collected in Beacon Falls and Prospect goes to support Region 16; and of those dollars collected for Region 16, nearly 80 percent goes towards pay and benefits for teachers and support staff. We need to spend our tax dollars more wisely.

Other questions such as why there are two new ball fields included in the proposal for a K-5 school were not satisfactorily answered.  Further, we know our neighbors to the north in Naugatuck have a high school which is going through a complete renovation, our neighbors to the south in Seymour are having a near total renovation at Chatfield School, we are presented with a proposal to renovate Laurel Ledge School, but in Prospect there is a new school being built – despite Mayor Bob telling us Community is one of the most sturdy schools in the region. We were told it was to get all students under one roof, but there are many towns that have multiple elementary schools. We were told that there would be economies of scale, but then it was revealed the only staff that would be reduced would be custodians and cafeteria workers.

It begs the question, Why would the superintendent and the Board of Education skew this project so favorably towards Prospect? Well, it might have something to do with the fact that Prospect outnumbers Beacon Falls voters significantly, and it only takes a simple majority in both towns to get passage. Worse, on the Board of Ed, each Beacon Falls member’s vote only counts for 0.7 votes while Prospect’s votes count for 1.3 votes; thus it’s easier for the superintendent and board to get projects they want passed by structuring it to heavily favor Prospect. In some circles, this is known as the tyranny of the majority and why we have one man, one vote and minority protection – except in Connecticut’s regional school systems.

While the building proposal contains millions of dollars in needless spending and both towns would benefit from sending it back to the drawing board; for those of us who live in Beacon Falls, this building proposal is particularly bad. One has to wonder what our Beacon Falls members on the Board of Education were thinking when they allowed this project to go to referendum unopposed. This building project is inequitable to the point that Beacon Falls board members should have been screaming to the press, but alas, the proposal passed unanimously. Among other duties, they were voted into their positions to protect the interests of Beacon Falls’ students and taxpayers, and it’s not obvious to this writer that they came close to fulfilling that obligation.

It takes time to digest a project of this size. Despite having numerous informational meetings, only now are residents beginning to understand the unnecessary spending, which affects both towns and the grossly unfair treatment of Beacon Falls in this project. According to Prospect’s own Tom Galvin, the chairman of the Prospect Republican Town Committee in a letter to the Prospect Pages, “We’d be getting a new $37 million school and only paying an additional $12 million … the Beacon Falls community will be getting about $8 million in school improvements and a tax increase of about the same $8 million to pay for them.”

I am asking the superintendent and the board to push back this referendum to January to allow more time for discussions. If this is a good proposal, another month won’t matter. And if they refuse, I would urge all residents to vote “no” to send this back to the drawing board to get a better deal for the students and taxpayers of both towns.

Ed Groth

Beacon Falls

To the editor,

It is time to do what is best for our children. We have waited long enough for a new Algonquin School and have dealt with safety concerns at Laurel Ledge School. These school projects have continually been put on the back burner.

A vote “yes” on Dec. 20 will eliminate an outdated Algonquin School that currently has no gym or media center. Gym classes are being held in a padded downstairs room. Algonquin is 60 years old. Except for a roof replacement, nothing has been done. There is no handicap accessibility and Prospect special ed students are bussed to Laurel Ledge in Beacon Falls.

In Prospect, there are currently two buildings — K-3 at Algonquin and fourth and fifth at Community School. This involves two principals, two nurses, and duplicate custodial and cafeteria workers. The septic system is built under the parking lot and the wall to the cafeteria is sinking.

If we don’t build a new school, we will be throwing money into repairs in the future.

The four-room annex will be sued for offices for the school region. Currently, we are paying $56,000 annually to Gene Lewis, who has been a most patient landlord.

Laurel Ledge’s campus style has individual buildings and open walkways. In inclement weather, children have to be fully dressed and undressed to go to the cafeteria, gym, nurse’s office, and school office. This takes away 10 to 12 minutes of classroom time. I also worry about safety issues due to accessibility by outside sources.

We already own the land. The prospect school will cost $36.6 million and Laurel Ledge $7.7 million and $2.4 million for the regional school office. Locally, after state reimbursement, the taxpayers will pay $19.7 million. State reimbursement is 68 percent. If we wait until next year, it will undoubtedly drop.

Current bonds on Community, Laurel Ledge, and Long River will be paid by 2017. We will continue to pay for the high school.

These communities have long been committed to the children in Region 16. Let’s complete the building process by voting “yes” on Dec. 20.

Thank you to the superintendent of schools, Board of Education, staff, and building committee for the countless hours they have spent on these projects.

Marie Delage

Former Region 16 Board of Education member

Prospect

To the editor,

Would you want to send your five year old to a school that is severely outdated, has serious mold problems, lacks a gymnasium, has no handicap access, and is needing multimillion dollar repairs over the next five years? Well, that’s exactly what the citizens of Prospect have been doing for the past 10 years.

Algonquin school has outlived its usefulness. We have a chance to give the future kids of Prospect a healthy, adequate facility that will last for the next 50 years. The time to act is now. I urge all voters in Region 16 to finally do the right thing for this town. Vote yes for the school project. It is desperately needed and long overdue.

Joseph Theroux

Prospect