To the Editor:

Gary Fetzer and Joe Hemingway have the knowledge and skills to move Newtown forward and I hope you will join me in voting for them and Team Newtown this Tuesday.

Throughout the campaign, Gary and Joe have spoken with thousands of registered voters. Their goal in doing this was simple: To give people an opportunity to play a role and have a voice in our local government. Gary and Joe recognize that the success and well-being of a community is not only dependent upon its leadership, but also upon its citizens and their ability to participate productively. Gary and Joe have modeled what it means to participate in our community while providing the valuable leadership we need to ensure that Newtown is moving in the right direction.

As a candidate for first selectman, Gary Fetzer has passionately served our community in a number of capacities. From 1989 to 1997, Gary served on the Newtown Board of Selectman where he played an incremental role in shaping local policy and bringing positive change to Newtown. In addition, Gary has served the Newtown community through his many civic contributions and involvement which include serving as chairman for the Charter Revision Commission, the Newtown Greenways Committee, and the Newtown Aesthetics Committee, as well as being an active member of the Newtown Ethics Commission, the Newtown Rotary Club, the Society of Industry Leaders, and the United Way of Northern Fairfield County.

As a candidate for selectman, Joe Hemingway has also offered a tremendous amount of his time and talents to better our community. Joe has served as a member of Newtown’s Legislative Council from 2001 to 2005, and again from 2007 to present. Additionally, Joe served on the Charter Revision Commission and the Economic Development Commission for nearly six years. Also a devoted participant in the PTA, Joe has been PTA Council president, the Legislative Council representative for the Sandy Hook and Hawley PTAs, Board of Ed representative for the Newtown Middle School PTA, as well as a member of State PTA Board of Directors.

As you can tell, Gary and Joe have modeled what it means to provide meaningful civic participation. I applaud Gary, Joe, and the entire Team Newtown slate for all that they have done for our community. Please join me in voting for Gary Fetzer, Joe Hemingway, and Team Newtown this election.

All my best,

Christopher Lyddy

3 Smoke Rise Ridge, Newtown                                  October 28, 2009