Letter: Elected officials should be held to same stands as constituents

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To the editor,

Elected officials should be held to the same laws and expectations that their constituents are. Unfortunately, for the town of Beacon Falls, Democrat Selectman Peter Betkoski does not appear to share this belief. Betkoski is continuing to hold himself to a different set of rules than those the rest of us are held to.

On Nov. 6, 2017, the night before local elections, Betkoski drove an unregistered pickup truck. He drove the truck, which he uses for his business, Betkoski Brothers, LLC to Laurel Ledge School. The police arrived to Laurel Ledge School and issued Betkoski an infraction for driving an unregistered motor vehicle. Betkoski’s truck was then towed. Betkoski’s vehicle registration expired in July 2017 and was not eligible for renewal due to a state law which prohibits anyone from renewing motor vehicle registration until taxes are paid on that vehicle. Betkoski’s taxes were finally paid on the vehicle nearly eight months later at the end of January 2018, and his truck is now registered. Betkoski pleaded not guilty to the infraction and is due in Derby Superior Court in May 2018, according to judicial records online.

Of course, there is also the matter of his overdue taxes on his business which is still open as well. In a letter to the editor written by Betkoski, “Selectman responds to letters on back taxes” (Citizen’s News, Sept. 1, 2017), Betkoski stated his payment plan for back taxes through Chapter 13 was scheduled to continue in September 2017. Before the November 2017 election, Betkoski owed approximately $19,000. Interestingly, Betkoski now owes approximately $21,000 at the time of this letter. Furthermore, outside of vehicle taxes, no payments have been made to the town. Yet, Betkoski continues to collect his $12,000 per year selectman stipend from the taxpayers of Beacon Falls.

The double standards continue with a March 6, 2018 complaint filed by the Southington Manor Condominium Association, Inc. with the Superior Court in New Britain against Betkoski and Betkoski Bros., LLC. The complaint states Betkoski was the representative with whom the association dealt. The association paid a 50 percent deposit totaling $4,519.88 on or about Aug. 1, 2017, the complaint states, for paving work at the association. Per the agreement, work was to start within two weeks, the complaint states. Despite repeated requests, the work has not been performed and Betkoski Bros., LLC has been unable or unwilling to return the deposit, the complaint claims.

It’s time the Democrats of Beacon Falls look for a new candidate, one who follows the rules like the rest of us, so we don’t have to sit through another two years of double standards following the next election.

Shawn Styfco

Beacon Falls

The writer is a member of the Beacon Falls Republican Town Committee.

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