To the Editor:The Bee's recent in-depth coverage of the Guard, prompted me to send a perennial plea to our State Legislative Delegation, asking them to take all possible steps to preserve the Second Company Horse Guard. My argument was as follows:

I attended the most recent Second Company Governor's Horse Guard graduation. That wonderful experience, coupled with

I can only hope that reductions to the budget or the elimination of this unit is put forth by the governor each year as a chip and that there will continue to be willingness to restore it. Because I am preaching to the choir, I know, I will confine myself to the following advocacy: the Horse Guard is, quite simply, one of the things that make Connecticut a special place to live. Beyond that, our Second Company has been very good to and for Newtown, particularly with respect to services and activities offered following 12/14. Finally, the company has implemented previously negotiated cost-saving measures, to include stall rentals.

Please do your best to preserve our Horse Guard. While, as you know, I am personally familiar with the slippery slop danger that "this is just a minuscule line item" arguments present to budget reduction efforts, it is nonetheless valid rationale in this case. The Horse Guard's return on investment is large.

I urge all Newtowners to support the Horse Guard by contracting our delegation, State Sen Hwang and Reps Bolinsky, Sredzinski, and Duff, and expressing support for the Guard.

Will Rodgers

Selectman

208 Hattertown Road, Newtown         June 29, 2017