To the Editor:

Captain Tim Gavin is a different type of politician. The politicians we’re familiar with focus on taking advantage of photo opportunities. Tim is focused instead on what he can do to actually help all of us. A good example is his volunteer work at the Senior Center in Newtown. Every Wednesday, Tim is there helping serve lunch. Whether or not his time at the Senior Center gets him any votes, he is there serving our community.

Tim’s life has been dedicated to service. He learned from his parents, both public school teachers who were deeply involved in their community. Growing up in Connecticut, he served as an altar boy in his church and a volunteer at the nature center, and did conservation projects as an Eagle Scout. At Yale, he led a program connecting students with volunteer service outreach opportunities.

He spent 4 years as an active duty infantry officer, and continues to serve in the Army Reserves, commanding a Higher Headquarters Detachment. He now works for the Integrity Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to building a healthier social internet, to strengthen the safety of our children and our privacy.

When Captain Gavin talks, he’s not just trying to sound good for the media; he talks about what he wants to do to help us. That list includes: protecting women’s rights to control their own medical care; protecting us from gun violence; promoting early learning and STEM learning opportunities; and combating the rising costs of gas, groceries, and prescription drugs.

Captain Gavin isn’t good for media sound bytes. He isn’t good for corporations and mega donors. He’s good for us, the people of Newtown.

Please join me in sending Captain Tim Gavin to Hartford, to serve us.

Betsy Litt

Newtown