To the Editor:

My name is Joe Hemingway. I am running for Legislative Council in District 2. However, this letter is not about me. I am writing this letter to endorse the Rosenthal / Bojnowski Team. Herb and Joe are proven leaders. They have overseen an incredible transformation in Newtown over the past ten years by cleaning up numerous eyesores that they inherited when they took office, by increasing tax relief for seniors, and preserving open space at previously unprecedented levels. Furthermore, by working in a bipartisan manner with the Legislative Council and the Board of Finance they have purchased and sold properties on Queen Street and Mile Hill South, as well as increased Newtown’s bond rating several times, saving millions of dollars in potential tax increases.

Herb has also proven his leadership ability while putting Newtown on the regional and state map where it belongs. He was elected by his fellow leaders to chairmanship roles on the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials, the Housatonic Valley Economic Development Partnership, The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, The CCM Tax Reform Task Force, and The Council of Small Towns.

Herb has served Newtown for 25 years, currently as first selectman and prior to that as a member of the Board of Education, including three years as chairman. I have been fortunate enough to work with Herb at various levels in an elected position when I served for four years on the Legislative Council, as well as in appointed positions on the Economic Development Commission and Charter Revision Commissions. It is my opinion that Newtown is fortunate to have Herb Rosenthal and Joe Bojnowski as our leaders, and I am hopeful of having the opportunity to working with them again as a member of the next Legislative Council. Please don’t forget to vote on November 6, and when you do, please join me in voting for Herb Rosenthal and Joe Bojnowski, so they can continue to lead Newtown and complete the outstanding work they have started.

Respectfully,

Joe Hemingway

10 Overlook Knoll, Sandy Hook October 24, 2007