SUMMARY OF ISSUES

Why Vote "NO"?

Four Primary Reasons:

• Bad Process 

• Bad Changes

• Bad Ballot Question

• Missed Opportunities

Read on for background and reasons why Fairfielders for Good Government is asking you to vote "NO" on Charter Revision.

Click HERE for individual statements from some well-respected Fairfielders as to why they are voting "NO."

Some Background on Charter Revision

The Town Charter is Fairfield’s Constitution. Nothing is more important than how we govern ourselves.

Per State statute, The Board of Selectmen (BOS) and the Charter Revision Commission (CRC) the Board appoints, are given the authority to propose and put before the voters recommended changes to our Town Charter.   The voters are the ones who decide at the ballot box whether the changes are approved - or not.

This past summer, the CRC provided the Board of Selectmen with its redline changes as well as a proposed revised charter.  On August 11, the Board of Selectmen voted 2 to 1 to accept all the recommended changes. At the same meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted 2 to 1 to approve one single 110-word ballot question. That question, representing all the proposed changes, is what's on the ballot this November. 

We, the members of Fairfielders for Good Government, paid attention to the revision process and its outcome very closely.

What We Believe

We believe that the proposed changes in how we govern our Town that are on the ballot in November, and how they are presented to the voter, are the result of a process that was simply not good enough for anyone who cares about Good Government in Fairfield.  We can and should do much better.

We believe:

• that the charter revision process was manipulated from the start to recommend major structural changes in our Town government;

• that a majority of the people appointed to the Charter Revision Commission (CRC) were chosen because they already supported that outcome;

• that the CRC did not analyze fully and explain clearly all the implications of changes that either were or should have been considered; and 

• that when the intended major changes had to be abandoned after a huge public outcry, all of the remaining changes were hurriedly lumped together in one "omnibus" question that denied the public our right to vote separately on certain significant changes.

Some of the most concerning proposed changes are:

• Reducing the maximum size of the legislative body (the RTM) from 56 to 40 and eliminating its authority to manage its own size;

• Adding two new costly staff positions in the First Selectperson's Office appointed by and reporting solely to the First Selectperson;

• Reducing the professional standards for the Director of Public Works;

• Eliminating the voters' ability to call for a special election should a vacancy occur in the Office of the First Selectperson;

• Compressing the timeframe Town bodies and the public have to review the budget;

• Reducing the number of constables from seven to four and converting them from elected to appointed positions; and

• Adding new rules of cooperation and civility that some feel could be used to prevent robust debate.

Why Others are Voting "NO"

In speaking with concerned voters and among ourselves, we realized there are many different reasons why Fairfielders are choosing to "Vote NO in NOvember" on Charter Revision.

Some are opposed to specific proposed changes. Others are frustrated and maddened by the flawed process and want to give the revision process more time.  Others are angered that they are being presented with a single omnibus question, denying them the right and ability to choose on significant changes to our government.  Still others want to give the Commission more time to address important issues that went unresolved or unaddressed.  Some are voting "NO" for multiple reasons.  

Different issues resonate with different voters for different reasons.  One thing is clear - these concerns are not specific to any one political party.  They are across party lines and demographics.

For more details on these reasons, and to hear from others on why they are voting "NO", please visit the following web pages:

• Why "NO" - includes statements from Fairfield voters as to why they are voting "NO"

• The Process - provides details on the revision process and its serious flaws

• The Changes - provides information, big picture and details, on some of the biggest and most controversial changes

• The Question - examines the single and misleading "omnibus" ballot question and why it's bad for Fairfield voters

• Missed Opportunities - lists some of the requests that went unanswered or unaddressed

What We Are Asking

If you believe, as we do, that Fairfield deserves a second chance to conduct an impartial, thoughtful and unhurried review of possible changes to our Town Charter, please "Vote NO in NOvember" on Charter Revision.

We also ask that you check back often.  Web pages will be updated as Fairfield voters share their thoughts, concerns, research, and opinions.