To the Editor:

I write in support of Herb Rosenthal and Joe Bojnowski because contrary to a recent letter by Mr Davis [IPN Endorses Joe Borst” September 28], a candidate’s past accomplishments do matter! To claim that an individual’s past record of success is not important defies common sense. When applying for a job could one imagine telling the interviewer, “Nah, my past work record doesn’t matter; hire me for my acronyms and sound bytes.” What’s the foundation for asking for a raise? Of course, it is the past year’s work record. And what do colleges look for from high school students? Again, the student’s past school record. Yes, common sense dictates that just as in any activity, school, business, or sports, a candidate’s past accomplishments do matter!

What are Herb Rosenthal and Joe Bojnowski’s accomplishments? Here are a few: they have frugally managed the town side of the budget so that 76 percent of the total increase in spending has been for education; supported the completion of Reed Intermediate School; supported funding of the design for the new high school addition; increased tax relief for seniors from $30,000 to nearly $1 million; increased volunteer benefits for fire and EMS personnel; increased Newtown’s bonding rating twice to AA2 saving taxpayers millions; saved taxpayers nearly $4 million dollars in town capital projects by securing state and federal grants; preserved over 1,000 acres of open space land; supported economic development such as for age-restricted living — Liberty, Homesteads, and The Woods generate more than $3 million of annual tax revenues; resurfaced over 125 of our 250 miles of town roadway; purchased Eichler’s Cove marina to preserve access to Lake Zoar for boating and swimming; built three new ball fields; supported additional fields at Fairfield Hills including one under construction and a sports complex under design; helped fund Newtown High School fields.

To use Mr Davis’s own words, it is understandable why [Mr Davis] doesn’t want taxpayers to focus on past accomplishments. Herb Rosenthal and Joe Bojnowski’s successes and accomplishments on behalf of the town have been tremendous.

Sincerely,

Earl J. Smith, Jr

Chairman Democratic Town Committee

5 Serenity Lane, Sandy Hook                                       October 3, 2007