Newsletter Volume 1 • Number 40
Greenwich’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM), is a unique institution. Guided by an independent, non-partisan ethos for over 90 years, 230 community-elected members come together to deliberate and decide on municipal matters large and small, ranging from approving the town budget to renaming streets.
Unfortunately, the RTM’s independent spirit is now threatened, so we are asking you to run for the RTM in November to counter a strident group of self-proclaimed Patriots, who have sewn partisan chaos and promoted an alarming agenda.
- As part of ongoing efforts to destabilize Greenwich public schools, they tried to kill the latest teacher’s contract, which included a win for the town — a below-inflation wage increase. Had they succeeded, after arbitration it probably would have cost taxpayers more.
- During the pandemic, they sought to make masks optional at businesses and schools, which would have put Greenwich in violation of state health rules. They even opposed using federal funds to hire a public health specialist.
- They’ve tried multiple times to weaken our much-needed affordable housing plans — which further puts us at the mercy of developers seeking to build out-of-scale “8-30g” apartment complexes.
- And most recently, they cooked up anti-semitic conspiracy theories about a half-million dollar award to help our bi-partisan Registrars of Voters improve Greenwich’s elections technology, and when they didn’t get their way, they tried to overturn the outcome of the vote.
Perhaps the most startling aspect of their campaign is the lack of civility. “Dictator!” shouted one Patriot at the Moderator in March, when she was asked to follow parliamentary rules.
If this reminds you of the likes of Marjorie Taylor Greene howling “liar!” during President Biden’s State of the Union address, it will come as no surprise that RTM Republicans have been consulting with the Republican National Committee on Greenwich RTM issues.
Things won’t improve unless more Democrats and other centrists run for the RTM. Republicans are grossly overrepresented at the RTM, – making up 52% of the members, despite being just 28% of our town’s voters. In contrast, Democrats represent 34% of the RTM’s membership and 30% of town voters! Republicans chair nine out of 12 RTM district committees, to the Democrats’ one, and eight of 13 issue-related committees, to the Dem’s three. These leadership positions give Republicans the ability to ram their agenda through while ignoring dissenting views.
Democrats are 39 votes short of a majority in the RTM. Republicans have enough members to
pass any item without working with Democrats or unaffiliated representatives
| So who can stop them from eroding the non-partisan, collaborative nature of the RTM? You can! By running for the RTM, you can provide an important counterweight to the radical right-wing partisan rancor. Please consider running for the RTM this fall. To find out how, click here or e-mail us. And if you don’t have the time to commit to running for the RTM, we encourage you to learn who your district RTM representatives are and to review their voting records. Do they represent your views and values, or are they out of touch? Let them know, and don’t vote for them in November! Vote for candidates you know, voting records you support and make your voice heard. |
Legislative corner
CT legislators condemn Texas judge’s ruling on abortion pill, and advance the fight for reproductive freedom
“This ruling is yet another devastating attack on reproductive rights,” wrote governor Lamont, after a federal judge suspended the FDA approval for an abortion pill that has been available for 23 years. “Pills such as mifepristone allow you to decide when you want to start a family, not the government. This case is not about safety. This is about controlling medical decisions that should be between patients and their doctors,” said Lamont.
Meanwhile, several bills to strengthen reproductive freedom in CT have been approved by the Public Health Committee, including allowing the sale of emergency contraception (otherwise known as the “morning-after pill”) on college campuses, allowing pharmacists to prescribe emergency contraception, and protection for health providers who perform abortions.
West Hartford Rep. Jillian Gilchrest at microphone, Rep. Rachel Khanna to her left, and other members of the Connecticut Reproductive Rights Caucus Photo: CT House Democrats
For your calendar
Drop in to meet fellow Democrats and learn about the exciting things going on. Town Hall Meeting Room, April 20, 7:30 p.m.
APRIL 25 Come crush it with us at this evening of ping-pong, food, drinks and friends! Bring a friend, or two.
Deadline approaching for youth Democracy Summer Scholars applications
April 14 is the deadline for high school or college students to apply for the Democracy Summer, a project founded by Congressman Jamie Raskin, that seeks to bring about political change in America by training and deploying the next generation of Democratic organizers and leaders. The program is virtual and runs from June 26 – August 7th.
Scholars will attend state-of-the-art workshops and seminars hosted by top organizers and political leaders from across the country, host at least one voter registration or voter education event in collaboration with other participants — and they’ll have the opportunity to attend a meeting with Congressman Jim Himes!
You know you want one…
Show your Greenwich Democratic pride! Click here to request a free bumper sticker.
Editorial that caught our eye
Stephen Selbst, Democratic member of the Board of Estimate and Taxation writes, “The 2024 budget adopted by the Republican-controlled Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) is an insult to the community because it fails our schools. For Central Middle School (CMS) and Old Greenwich School (OGS), BET Republicans imposed arbitrary and unrealistic caps on spending, ensuring that neither project can begin construction in 2024.”
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