Windsor Journal

The well known discontent for the town's politics gave rise a few days ago to a new organization, that its founders believe can change the political dynamics in Windsor. On January 11, 2013, a group of Windsorites filed paperwork with the Secretary of State to form the Windsor Independent Party. Among the group are Town Council member Lisa Boccia, Board of Education member Kristin Ingram, and Youth Commission member Jeffery Ingram, all Republicans.

"The Windsor Independent Party was formed because we believe our town government needs to be more transparent, accountable, and user friendly," Jeffery Ingram stated during an interview, Thursday. "Currently residents have no way to hold the boards or commissions accountable, many of which have great power over the town. The town also needs to become much more user friendly for residents. Information regarding meetings and changes to ordinances and zoning changes should not be difficult to find The budget needs to be presented in a way that the average voter can understand."

According to the organizing committee, the new party's aim is to encourage residents to get involved and ask questions.

"Officials should not completely ignore those who come out and speak," Ingram stressed. "A number of our appointed commissions have a lot of power over the operation and development of the town, yet there is no way to currently hold these commissions accountable to the residents in town.  Officials should respond to residents" inquiries and be respectful to all members of the community. Public officials, including board and commission members should be held accountable to the voters."

Ingram said that the  group is convinced that a big part of the problem is that currently, each of the two main parties runs five candidates for the Town Council and the Board of Education, with nine candidates out of ten elected. The end result is that elected officials don't feel the pressure to cater to their  voters' concerns.

"We believe a simple way to achieve this [accountability] is to provide choice for the voters of Windsor," he argued. "No more elections where one person out of ten loses. The addition of a new party in town will give the voters the ability to remove up to six Town Councilors and six Board of Education members every election cycle."

The Windsor Independent Party  will soon form a town committee, which will meet monthly to discuss issues in town and work to elect endorsed candidates. The first meeting of the group will be held February 25 in the Ludlow Room at Town Hall, starting at 7pm.

"We believe it is time for change in Windsor," Ingram said. "We believe the Town is more important than political parties. We believe that all voters should have a voice in town. We believe that listening to voters should not end after an election. If you believe these things as well, please join us."

More information on the Windsor Independent Party can be found on www.windsorindependents.com