Letter: Council Candidate Jones States His Case

To The Editor:

My name is Steve Jones and I hope to earn your vote on November 5th to the Tolland Town Council. I aim to improve civic engagement and government accountability, as well as rebuild the relations between our volunteer boards and commissions.

Only about a third of residents will vote this November, meanwhile double to triple will vote one year from now. We can do better at informing residents of local elections. Reinvesting in our town’s e-blast system so that every resident is engaged and accounted for is an immediate and effective way to increase turnout. Our town should explore establishing a Civic Engagement Commission as well. Comprised of various stakeholders from political parties, community groups, and elected/town officials, we can see where others have succeeded in not only improving turnout, but providing non-partisan information to residents about local candidates.

I would also like to change how the Tolland Town Council informs residents of public hearings, how public comment is submitted and reshape the public hearing process so council members deliberate on what the community has said. Important decisions that impact our lives and the operations of our town’s schools and government should not be decided upon the same night without addressing the concerns and opinions of residents in town. Other boards and commissions already do this in town and throughout the state, and the council should too so they are held accountable by every resident.

Finally, there is bridging collaborative, rather than combative relations between the council and BOE. Six years ago, the mantra was "trust, partnership and communication." Unfortunately, these days, it feels like there is little trust or partnership between these two groups. And the communication between them has been frustratingly nonexistent in recent months.

We as a community can do better to talk to each other like neighbors and find common ground that may not satisfy everyone, but makes worthwhile progress. Working together as a community creates stability that maintains home values and improves business growth in town. I hope I can achieve all of these goals while working with everyone, regardless of political affiliation after November 5th.

Steve Jones

Tolland