Less Than 5% Decided Pomfret Doesn’t Need Ethics - What Are They Hiding?

Last night, we had a town meeting to vote on having an Ethics Commission in town. Something that MANY surrounding towns already have in place, INCLUDING the town of Putnam, which we just voted to pass an Interlocal Agreement with our Transfer Station. 202 residents showed up, including some in elected office, and voted NO on creating a town ethics commission. Why in the world would anyone be against an ethics commission? Most professions have one, most towns in our state currently have one, yet our town doesn't want one? We heard from disgruntled elderly residents who used their seniority to try to persuade voters not to vote on an ethics commission for our town. They made false claims that there was no reason for one, and used scare tactics, suggesting it could harm us in regards to obtaining future grant funds.

Despite hearing from several members in the audience, including myself, as to why we need one and what they are and are not, it was still voted against.

To be clear, less than 5% of the population in town showed up to vote it down.

The First Selectman gave the town less than one week's notice of this meeting & vote, but did take to Facebook a day earlier, urging her followers to come vote NO

What IS ethics? Ethics is the study and practice of what is right and wrong, good and bad, fair and unfair in human behavior. It’s a set of moral principles or values that guide how people make decisions and act in personal life, business, government, and society.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

• In general: Ethics helps people decide what they should do — not just what they can do.

• In daily life: It’s about honesty, fairness, respect, and responsibility in how we treat others.

• In government or organizations: Ethics ensures decisions are made transparently, without corruption, favoritism, or personal gain.

• In philosophy: It’s the branch that explores questions like “What makes something morally right?” or “How should people live?”

In short, ethics is about doing the right thing — even when no one is watching. How do we have leaders in town who do not understand or want to discuss ethics? I know the answer, and you should, too.

Some people stood up and lied to our residents, telling them that the number of towns in the state with ethics commissions is much lower than it actually is. In fact, there are ONLY approximately 29 towns in the entire state without an ethics commission, Pomfret being one of them.

SCAN THE QR CODE TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF CONNECTICUT TOWNS THAT CURRENTLY HAVE ETHICS COMMISSIONS IN PLACE

Why are Pomfret Democrats AGAINST an Ethics Commission? Despite reading their conflicting responses on social media to the petition and the actual issue, it appears they are FOR an ethics commission, but they were not for the timing right before an election. They voiced their opinions that this was a political move, and not a valid issue our town has. If I am reading between the lines correctly, they agreed we should have one, but voted it down as retaliation for the timing? Does that scream ethical to you? No, it doesn't for me, either. That is dangerous leadership and an exact demonstration of why our town needs an Ethics Commission, just as many other surrounding towns have.

So the next question is, WHEN is the right time to put together this Ethics Commission that they stated on Facebook they are not against? After the election? A year from now? Next Friday? Because these issues are not going away, and we will continue to bring this to the forefront for as long as it takes to get some more checks and balances for our residents. Our taxpayers deserve more than how they've been treated, and the elite 202 minority that screams the loudest does not represent the majority 95%+ of our town, even if they'd like to think they do.

Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing details about several major issues I’ve documented over the past year—issues that clearly highlight why our town needs an ethics commission and what led me to step into the local political arena.

Some members of our current board of education have said they’re “not political” and that politics don’t belong in our schools. But that’s simply not realistic. Politics influence nearly every decision made in education—from mandated restorative practices to which programs are (or aren’t) offered to our gifted students.

It’s time we start paying closer attention to the political side of these decisions. My goal is to ensure we never again risk violations of SEEC regulations by allowing materials to be created or distributed that influence a vote. That kind of activity is not ethical, and as long as I’m involved, it will not happen again without being called out and reported.

Our students are being taught accountability every day. It’s time our leadership is held to the same standard.

Read some of my other blogs to see more proof as to why we NEED an Ethics Commission in Pomfret:

*Interlocal Agreement with Putnam, despite the town's current ordinances stating we can't bring trash from outside of Pomfret & WINY comments made by the First Selectman calling anyone against her "fringe voters": https://www.parentsforpomfret.com/post/exploring-the-pomfret-putnam-interlocal-agreement-for-waste-management

Town Ordinance Transfer Station .pdf

Download PDF • 84KB

*Post from First Selectman on Pomfret's Democrat Committee Facebook page BEFORE notice was given to the town about the meeting, asking voters to come show up and vote NO: https://www.parentsforpomfret.com/post/public-voices-deserve-respect-not-rejection-from-the-first-selectman

*Easement Agreement IGNORED - Pomfret Forest - Despite our easement agreement stating NO building, the agreement is being ignored and construction is well underway in the Pomfret Forest, INCLUDING, but not limited to, a 50x50 band pavilion. In which case, the First Selectman, only on October 20th, requested a meeting on November 19th to obtain a permit: https://www.parentsforpomfret.com/post/the-pomfret-forest-protected-land-or-playground-project

*Copy of the Board of Ed handout that came home from school in every backpack AND was posted on the doors of the school where our budget voting took place:

The Board of Education likely violated Connecticut General Statute § 9-369b, which prohibits the use of public funds or resources to influence voters. By printing and distributing flyers through schools and posting them at the polling place that explicitly urged residents to “vote yes or their children would suffer the consequences,” the board engaged in advocacy rather than neutral information, using school resources and public property to promote one side of the vote. This constitutes improper use of public funds for political purposes and electioneering at a polling location, both of which are prohibited under Connecticut election law.

Pomfret deserves leadership that values transparency, fairness, and accountability — not decisions made quietly by a small minority. Ethics shouldn’t be a partisan issue; it’s the foundation of trust in any community. The fact that less than 5% of our town decided that Pomfret “doesn’t need ethics” should concern every resident who believes in honest and responsible government. This conversation isn’t over. It’s just beginning — and together, we can ensure that our town’s future is guided by integrity, not politics.