To the Editor:

Duane Giannini, Gerald Finnegan, and Brian Budd are candidates for the Police Commission. I’ve known each candidate for varying degrees of time. Although each of these candidates contains common qualities including backgrounds in police procedure and policy, they are independent in their thinking which is a necessary asset when making decisions guiding the Newtown Police Department into the future.

In my personal and professional life as a previous Police Commissioner it is my opinion that Duane Giannini, Gerald Finnegan, and Brian Budd are of high moral character, are honest as the day is long, and have the welfare and safety in mind of all citizens in Newtown when making decisions.

In closing, I urge all Newtown citizens to vote for Duane Giannini, Gerald Finnegan, and Brian Budd for position of Police Commissioner.

Richard Simon

Anthony, Fla.                                                    October 29, 2007