The following excerpts are from an article in the Town Times of Watertown, Connecticut. The full article can be read here.

On Tuesday, December 9, the new political party organized by Richard Wick had its initial meeting at the Thomaston Savings Bank which drew approximately 30 to 40 people, adequate attendance to garner 25 signatures needed for the application for a party designation and the formation of a Party Designation Committee.

Richard Wick initiated the meeting by addressing the justification for a third party.

“What has been going on in town has finally gotten to the point where some of us think we need to make a drastic change,” said Mr. Wick.

Mr. Wick spoke on how a third party could upset the alternating majorities between the Democratic and Republican parties within the Watertown government. Mr. Wick correlated the increased party diversity with a more reasonable Town Council, concerning in particular the appointment of boards and commissions.

The new Independent Party will be associated with a very similar party – also named the Independent Party – in Waterbury, a nearby town. Whether they will associate with other groups remains unclear.

The choice of the Independent Party was supported by Mike Telesca, who serves on the Board of Selectmen in Waterbury, and was elected on an independent party platform. Mr. Telesca stressed the benefits of aligning with several other independent movements throughout the state.

“Most unaffiliated people consider themselves independent and identify with the name,” Mr. Telesca said. “Election laws in Connecticut are party system only. To grow status, it must be done as a party.”

By adopting the name, the party will become parallel to the Independent Party in Waterbury. However, each group will retain independence through its own Town Committee. In response to a question from a resident, Mr. Telesca explained that the party in Waterbury would not influence Watertown’s, unless a candidate for state positions or higher were being considered. “We would help you write your party rules,” added Mr. Telesca.

Some people, however, voiced dissent:

Not all in attendance had their political ideas in line with the Independent Party’s supporters. Kevin Killeen, who serves on the Board of Education commented, “If Judy Wick wants to talk about entrenched parties, she should remember she was on the P&Z Commission for 20 years.”

Mr. Killeen expressed the opinion that the formation of the third party was not about “puppet politics” or the way people are selected to boards and commissions by the Republicans or Democrats, but about the dissatisfaction of the Wicks over their chosen candidates, including Mrs. Wick, not being appointed by the Republican Town Committee, and about dissatisfaction over Route 262 development.