To the Editor:

We are lucky in Newtown to have so many citizens willing to participate in town government. On November 3 we will be voting to fill 32 positions, most of them unpaid. The winning candidates will give of their time and become targets for criticism for the good of the town. One of my favorite quotes is that “If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.” The candidates are willing to be part of the solution. Those elected will be faced with serious issues concerning Newtown and the first step in solving them will be to heal the election wounds and work on consensus and team building.

For that reason, I believe Gary Fetzer and Joe Hemingway are the best candidates for first selectman and selectman. They are ready to build consensus and inspire Newtown. Others espouse these qualities, but Gary and Joe do it. Their campaign is based on the TEAM concept: when we work Together Everyone Accomplishes More. Their campaign triggered community activism through their two service projects (litter pickup and food collection), which included participants from all party affiliations.

As their position papers have shown, they are out-of-the-box thinkers and serious about finding new ways to improve life in Newtown.  Gary Fetzer said (as reported in The Newtown Bee on October 23, 2009, A-8), he would “build consensus by seeking ideas from ‘everybody,’ and would not discard the input from those whose ideas might be more ‘innovative.’” We need that kind of leadership in Newtown.

This is an important election for Newtown. I urge you to support the TEAM Newtown concept and vote for Gary Fetzer and Joe Hemingway. Thanks to all on the ballot who are ready to serve. Together we can make a difference by casting our votes on November 3.

Addie Sandler

4 Far Horizon, Sandy Hook                                        October 28, 2009