A Dialogue On The Issues

To the Editor:

The letter in last week’s Bee from Earl Smith was graciously welcomed by the growing membership of the NICE Party. Having spoken personally to both Marie Sturdevant and Earl Smith, the respective chairpersons of the Republican and Democratic Town Committees, I am pleased that the upcoming political season will be about issues instead of personalities.

To further support that objective, we have all agreed upon three debate formats. The usual Pizza & Politics debate for all candidates, a Rotary Club debate for the first selectman candidates and a public access Channel 21 TV debate for the first selectman candidates.

The Newtown Property Owners Association’s TV production crew has volunteered their personal time and studio production allotment to accommodate the selectman debate. A neutral moderator will be recruited and questioning format and content will be jointly approved by officials from the three parties.

Charter Communications has generously offered to make a continuous one-hour program time slot available which will be broadcast at least twice during the campaign season. This way, Newtown residents who are unable to attend a live debate will have an opportunity to see the top candidates in action from the comfort of their own homes.

Speaking on behalf of the NICE Party, we are eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to discuss how our slate of candidates want to address the problems that face Newtown now and in the future and most specifically, what we see as realistic and achievable solutions.

Mr Smith should have no fear that the NICE Party is committed to working for the interests of all Newtown residents. All of our candidates are contributing members of our community. The obligation to take personal time and devote it toward the welfare of all our residents without prejudice and with the same sincerity that they would treat their own family is our pledge.

Our name may be unfamiliar to many voters, but given the opportunity to serve, our actions and our dedication will speak for itself.

Barry J. Piesner

First Selectman Candidate

Newtown Independent Coalition for Excellence

34 Alpine Drive, Sandy Hook                                      August 7, 2001