Letter: Beacon Falls has big expectations for officials

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letters_flatTo the editor,

I would like to take a moment to congratulate the new Beacon Falls Board of Selectmen and newly appointed officials for their recent election into office. I would also like to take this time to remind them of the expectation of the people of Beacon Falls. We are a small town, but we have big heart and big expectations of those who serve in our offices. By placing your names on the ballots you have made a promise to the people, to be committed to us over your personal interests, to serve us to the best of your abilities and to be willing to sacrifice your own aspirations for the sake of our future as a town. If you do these things, if your actions prove that you put the town first, then I can guarantee that you will have the continued support of the people. In the coming years you will be faced with decisions, be certain that the choices you make are for the benefit of the town and its future and not your own party, personal interests or sake.

The form of governing body in Beacon Falls is based on a group of three elected officials, which in its ideal form consists of people spanning party lines. This is intended to force the conversation, which should naturally come from different forms of ideology converging on a topic. The results of this election however have spawned a variant. Our board consists of three Democrats. I personally am an independent, so will allow time to assess the validity of this combination, but I ask that the citizens of Beacon Falls pay close attention to the course our governing body takes. Whether it was a board made entirely of Democrats or Republicans, we, the people, must provide the checks and balances when the governing body is fully dedicated to a specific set of interests.

At this time I would also like to show my appreciation for those who have served and will no longer be filling a position within our governing body. Specifically, I would like to thank Gerard Smith and David D’Amico for their service to the town. As a member of the Beacon Falls Conservation Commission I can say that if it wasn’t for their dedication and support we would not have completed the Lantern Ridge Open Space project in a timely fashion (which I recommend visiting for anyone interested becoming reacquainted with Nature). I would like to recognize their efforts, in conjunction with Selectman Bielik’s, in terms of the improvements to commercial development and economic growth within our town, along with their ever present support of Beacon Hose Co. #1, our town crews and departments.

My fellow citizens and newly appointed Board of Selectmen, please keep in mind, without the efforts of those who maintain our infrastructure, provide our safety and security, and further advance our town’s economic structure, Beacon Falls will have a bleak and limited future. Please continue your support.

Michael Opuszynski

Beacon Falls