Letter to the Editor: Common Council Candidate Dypa Stands for Transparency

I am Edward Dypa. I have lived in Middletown for the past 54 years and have been a registered Democrat for the past 50 years. I never voted a straight Democratic ticket, but voted for the candidate I felt would best serve the community.

Over the past years I have attended many Council meetings and came away upset and disillusioned with the oratory and passed resolutions. Over those years I thought of changing my party affiliation, which I finally did 3 months ago. I was asked if I would consider being a Republican candidate for the Common Council, and I accepted.

I attended the Council session this past Monday and Directors' session prior to that meeting. When Water Department Director Russo was asked about the allegations noted in the Mayor’s press release, the answer was that it was not his fault. He faulted the Personnel Department, the Finance Department and the Mayor’s Office. What surprised me was the Democratic Council members' agreement, demonstrated by them nodding their heads. In my opinion, it looked like a row of “bobble heads.”  In the private work sector, the buck stops with the manager. I guess that does not apply in the city government sector.

I firmly believe that there has to be more transparency in the actions of elected officials, directors of city departments and chairpersons of boards, commissions and committees.

It’s time that the taxpayers have complete visibility of what is going on in the government that we elected and that we are supporting.

Eighteen years of a Democratic controlled Council and a much longer control of the Board of Education indicates it's time for a change. Vote Republican to get that change.

-- Edward Dypa