Charter changes deserve voter support

Winsted voters will have an opportunity to bring at least one aspect of the town into the 21st century Tuesday, Nov. 2, during the 2010 midterm elections, when residents will vote on changes to the town charter.

The most significant and welcome change is the removal of a residency requirement for the town manager of Winchester. Passed in June by the Charter Revision Commission, the revision would simply eliminate language in the charter that requires a hired town manager to live within the boundaries of Winchester.

Of course this does not solve our current problem — the lack of an actual town manager. Selectmen initially organized the Charter Revision Commission largely because they thought Town Manager Wayne Dove of Colebrook would stay in the position and continue to live just one town away. But Dove has since decided to call it quits, leaving selectmen looking for yet another replacement to squeeze through the revolving door.

The Winsted residency requirement predates advancements in communications such as the cell phone and the Internet, and may have its roots in the days before automobiles. The idea that someone who lives in Colebrook, Barkhamsted, New Hartford or even (gasp!) Torrington can’t do the job is ridiculous. Applicants from communities farther away will have to be reviewed accordingly by selectmen, who have enough common sense to know how far is too far.

A second charter change involves the town’s finance director and whether or not townspeople want to allow the person in that position — currently Henry Centrella — to be allowed to have oversight with regard to the school budget. If there is anyone in town who is opposed to this measure, they haven’t spoken up yet. This charter change adds another layer of review to the annual budget process. It also makes tremendous sense to have the town and school finance directors working together, rather than independently, on budget issues, since all of the money comes out of taxpayers’ pockets. This should pass overwhelmingly, with “no� votes limited to the double, if not single, digits.

So, even if you’re sickened by the negative ads by state and national politicians, get out and vote Tuesday and have your voice heard on the local issues.

Latest News

Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less