After turning out in force during Newtown’s Labor Day Parade and planting candidate lawn signs around the community, local Republicans are resurrecting what party leaders have described as a “white paper” campaign to connect with voters over key issues or concerns as they prepare to cast local ballots on November 3.

Their latest issue is focused on how Republicans, led by First Selectman Pat Llodra, had previously campaigned on and laid out core values and goals that continue to guide and inform decisions being made across numerous elected and appointed boards and commissions today.

Recognizing those goals can be challenging as they are so intertwined, the white paper outlines critical issues local GOP officials plan to focus on over the next two years. Among those points of focus are continuing to address the residential tax burden.

The paper notes that since the municipality and school district combine to be Newtown’s the largest employer, a looming federal “Cadillac Tax” surcharge — mandated under the Affordable Care Act — is expected to cost taxpayers an additional $800,000 to $1.2 million beginning in 2016-17.

The GOP also aims to lead the discussion on reducing school spending to a rate that reflects the reduction in enrollment, to lower debt on capital borrowing, and to continue expanding unified shared services between the town and school district to achieve greater efficiency, transparency, and savings.

At the same time, GOP candidates are pledging to pursue greater excellence in the community’s education system, by investing tax dollars where they impact teaching and learning most effectively — as close to the classroom as possible. The document states that Republicans believe excellence in education contributes to community growth and can still be achieved while managing costs.

To achieve that, officials plan to identify and expand school-based response to critical and challenging mental health needs knowing that current federal funding that has flowed into Newtown following the Sandy Hook tragedy is declining.

The GOP is also supporting educational initiatives for students presented by the Board of Education, an update of the local school district’s Strategic Plan, and continuing to promote a district operating budget that will gain taxpayer support on the first referendum vote.

Republicans also hope to lead and influence decisions on future expansion of recreational, social, and cultural opportunities by creating opportunities for all residents to connect, creating a strong sense of community beyond residents’ immediate circles of friends.

To that end, GOP plans include investing capital dollars to remove more buildings at Fairfield Hills; completing a planned community center; investing annually in open space; improving Eichler’s Cove, the CH Booth Library. and Edmond Town Hall; supporting Dickenson Park improvements; and returfing the Newtown High School stadium.

Republican officials and candidates hope to further enhance local public safety by providing a suitable and state-of-the-art facility for the local police department; continuing to evaluate school and town safety procedures; and investing in town road and bridge improvements.

The GOP white paper then addresses changing demographics, pointing out that since 2006-07 the school district has lost well over 1,000 students, with a medium enrollment projection showing a future loss of around 1,000 more by 2025 — a decrease of more than 35 percent.  

The local white paper notes, however, that according to the publication Partnership for Strong Housing, the local senior population 65 and older will increase by 51 percent as compared to 2010 data. As a result, Republicans pledge to expand programs that benefit seniors including improving Newtown’s existing Senior Tax Relief Program; supporting an appropriate place for seniors to gather; and concluding the ongoing town and school facilities discussion in order to implement the most appropriate and efficient recommendations.

The paper concludes illustrating the important relationships between taxes, community growth, and development, while changing demographics become increasingly layered and complex. 

“Each area strikes at that which we value most: excellence in education; strong quality of life; a high standard in public safety; and meaningful opportunities in recreation, civic engagement, social interaction and cultural enjoyment for residents of all ages,” the paper states.

Given those challenges, the paper promotes local Republicans as having “the skill set, the experience, the commitment, and the higher level of understanding needed to effectively address” them while remaining grounded by a goal of serving the common good.