To the Editor:

It is a pleasure for me to recommend Paul Lundquist as our new District 1 Legislative Council representative. Knowing I wanted to endorse Paul, and wondering what to write, I looked at how Paul presents himself on his Democratic Town Committee webpage, and considered the content of other letters of endorsement on Paul’s behalf from last week’s Bee. I’d like to offer a unique perspective, but the strengths that Paul believes he will bring to the table in Newtown politics, are the same strengths and values that others have pointed out, and are certainly the same attributes that I think of when I both appreciate Paul’s friendship and consider him as someone to trust with Newtown’s future. So let me elucidate this skill set that Paul believes is good for Newtown’s future, and I and others clearly recognize in him. For one, Paul really does have a keen intellect, and a gift for quickly breaking down complex and nuanced information, and providing easy-to-grasp, elegant explanations and sensible conclusions and solutions.

Paul’s vast training in market research has groomed him to attend to many varied, dissenting opinions and find common ground and make action plans for forging ahead. A neighbor asked me recently if Paul led Newtown through its 2007/2008 “The Way Things Are In Newtown” survey, with the ulterior motive of someday entering into Newtown’s political arena. I remembered talking to Paul when he was first in a position to roll out this survey. Paul was perfectly candid that he had no agenda other than to take specialized and useful skills that he had from many years in business, and design a tool that would accurately measure the desires of our town. Paul did this job selflessly, without any hint of self-gain, only desiring good things for Newtown — Paul’s home, and a place he loves very much. Even today as a candidate, I know that Paul sees this opportunity as simply a natural evolution to his service and volunteerism for our town

Newtown has everything to gain by electing a smart and capable guy like Paul. So please join me and vote for Paul on election day.

Scott Wolfman

30 Obtuse Road, Newtown                                         October 17, 2011