To the Editor:

I am proud to support Rebekah Harriman-Stites for Newtown’s next 106th District State Representative! I was dismayed to read in The Bee a couple weeks ago the terrible smear by Ms Ferguson. Unfortunately, Mitch should now apologize a second time for the comments of his supporters.

Rebekah loves Newtown and Connecticut. How do I know? Not just because of her words, but because of her deeds. Let’s start with Education. The first time I met Rebekah was when a minority of elected officials took it upon themselves to move to close Hawley Elementary School. I myself produced a white paper demonstrating that the closing would create increased, not decreased, expenses and taxes. It was supported by peer-reviewed research. Rebekah was the only PTA President (Middle Gate) who researched the evidence and presented it to her Board. The Middle Gate PTA voted to oppose the closing of Hawley. It was the only PTA to get involved. The preservation momentum carried after that and Hawley was saved. Rebekah demonstrated intelligence, vision, and bold leadership. Today, elementary school enrollments continue to rise, Newtown is now exhibiting a housing boom, and imagine in COVID-19 social distancing if Hawley were closed? IMHO [in my humble opinion] every Hawley parent past, present, and future owes Rebekah a thank you.That’s the bold leadership we need in Hartford!

As for the standardized police statutes, why is transparency bad? The Newtown Chief and Police Commission easily worked with it, and such standardization will likely reduce Federal Civil Rights 1983 actions… saves lives and saves money!

Finally, as to new proposed Affordable Housing Law in Hartford, there is nothing definitive, just some proposals. You don’t hate Newtown because you want diversity. There are some good and some poor suggestions. Rebekah agrees with me. She will protect Historic Newtown and its neighborhoods.

Thank You!

Sincerely,

Jim Gaston

18 Main Street, Newtown October 19, 2020