A Candidate Introduces Himself

To the Editor:

To all my Newtown fellow citizens and taxpayers: Please allow me to introduce myself to those of you who do not know me. My name is Paul Mangiafico and I am a candidate on the Republican slate for the Board of Education. I am a retired senior management business executive with three grandchildren in our school system. The reason I am soliciting your support and vote is because I believe we can do much better than we have done in the past in managing our precious tax dollars and also providing a better education to our most precious assets –– our children.

I firmly believe that our current BOE members and school administrators are well-intentioned people –– misguided and misdirected at times but trying to do what they believe is correct. In their desire to do the right thing some of them have lost contact with the “owners” of their public trust –– the taxpayers of our town. I stand for principles such as accountability, integrity, discipline in our professional and private lives, a superior school district with measurable and quantifiable results, a “winning” mindset, fiscal responsibility, and high value received for expended tax dollars.

Of late the finger pointing of blame and denigration of groups in our town has been disgraceful and counterproductive to any of our shared values. Honest differences of opinion can be dealt with by looking at the power of one’s argument and its rational underpinning. Senior citizens should not be told to “move out” if they do not like what is happening with our tax load. Anyone who feels this way should not be in public office. Conversely, seniors who believe in not spending money for a superior school system need to understand that this is contrary to their best interests –– and I have so spoken to groups of them accordingly.

I believe I can bring to our BOE a voice that embodies these thoughts and principles and I solicit support from and the votes of Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated voters because these objectives are nonpartisan and in the best interests of all our citizens. I have spoken to various groups about my thoughts and will continue to do so in greater detail and depth for any individual or group that wants me to. My friends, we can do better in our town! Within reason, we can accomplish anything we put our minds to. With respect for one another and “our eye on the ball” we really can make a difference.

Paul Mangiafico

15 Kent Road, Newtown                                         September 4, 2003