‘New Thinking’ At The Table

To the Editor:

As a relatively new resident, I am pleased to be a candidate for the Board of Finance with the Independent Party of Newtown. My wife Maria and I moved to Sandy Hook after I retired. We believe we made the right choice when we decided to move to Newtown, truly a great place to live.

We love our home and Newtown, however the transition to retired life has not been easy. I, like many in Newtown, are concerned about the increased tax burden in these difficult times when the price of gas, food, and services continues to increase. As seniors, we also bear the same burden as other Connecticut residents — some of the highest taxes in the country. Many Americans throughout the nation believe government spending is too high and should be reduced because we simply cannot afford it any longer.

As I speak to my fellow residents, especially seniors, they want to know when will we get our spending under control? How do we use our taxes more wisely? Can something be done to lessen some of the tax burden on retired couples? In speaking to colleagues in the private sectors, many have not had pay raises in years. Some are accepting cuts in salary to remain employed. Surely our municipal government can work harder to be more productive.

I decided to seek election for the Board of Finance because I believe I can bring some “new thinking” to the table. We need to challenge our decisions and our existing “mindsets” related to our expenditures. How can we increase our efforts to attract new businesses to our area to generate more revenue?

We are living and operating in a new millennium where elected officials need to collaborate and think in parallel so as to avoid adversarial relationships. As fellow Newtowners, we need to work together. It is disappointing to see one group try to discredit another or a new idea or point of view because it comes from someone not of their own party. We all live together, let’s work together to help our town, not put down each other or a new idea before we have a chance to vet it.

During my many years working, in the United States and abroad, I have helped many organizations and companies work more efficiently and effectively. I have also developed skills that will help me act as a conduit to bring people together.

I believe that with my many years of experiences, in the corporate and educational field, I have developed skills that can bring new ideas and ways of spending to our town to make our home “nicer for all.”

If some of these questions and observations resonate with you, then I ask for your support on Election Day. If you would like to learn more about me or any other candidates with the Independent Party of Newtown, please visit our website at www.independentpartyofnewtown.com

Rudy Magnan, EdD

60 Watkins Drive, Sandy Hook                                 October 25, 2011