Letter: Fairfield’s RTM Is A Crown Jewel Of Our Government

Fairfield’s electorate benefits greatly from- and is more than capable of making sense of - our highly participatory democracy. We have a remarkably strong culture of public participation in town affairs that should be celebrated. Within our elected government, Fairfield’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) – our New England version of a House of Representatives - is a crown jewel. Dividing the town into 10 RTM districts with 4 RTM reps per district provides an opportunity for 40 “everyday people” (by that I mean heretofore less political) to run on issues that matter to them, their family, friends, neighbors, local businesses, educators, coaches, and others they regularly come in contact with. While many issues are town-wide, others are specific to an area beach, river, lake or wetland, park, field or playground, firehouse, school or university, street, traffic pattern, commercial enterprise, etc. For example, I decided to run for the RTM in 2013 when I felt one of my local reps was downplaying the need to remediate toxic substances found in my kids’ elementary school. Once elected to the RTM, there was no more satisfying part of the job than receiving an email from a constituent with a specific issue of concern and helping them resolve it. The RTM is our best safeguard to allowing hyper-local issues to be heard and taken seriously.

Our RTM also serves as a testing ground and potential “bench” for town and state-wide offices. Often, it is the “everyday people” holding their first political office as an RTM district rep who, after gaining skills, confidence, a track record, public trust, and an understanding of the demands on their time, make an informed decision to increase their commitment. There are too many examples to list here, but RTM alums currently include Fairfield’s State Senator, two of our three State Representatives, our First Selectwoman, and three members of our Board of Finance.

The prescribed size and residential diversity of our RTM membership dilutes the potential power of party bosses to play “Kingmaker,” a system that in other cities and towns can put too much emphasis on “paying your dues to the party” and “towing the line”. Fairfield’s 40-member, 10-district RTM structure gives the public, in their own districts, significant influence in granting exposure to candidates, and the opportunity for them to grow a constituency if they prove themselves worthy.

For those of you who haven’t been paying attention: over the coming weeks and months, don’t be surprised when you hear about some members of the Charter Review Commission pounding the table for the elimination of the RTM or whittling down of RTM local representation. Connect the dots: they were chosen by the First Selectwoman for this Commission having made these views public prior to the Commission being formed. Ask yourself: who wins and who loses when power is consolidated under fewer, politically-connected people?

If you are concerned about consolidating government power in fewer hands and diminishing opportunities for the non-"political class" to represent their neighborhoods, email the Charter Review Commission at CRC@fairfieldct.org or attend the meetings and ask them to leave our 40-member, 10-district RTM structure alone.

Bill Gerber

Former RTM Rep

Fairfield