Candidate Thanks Supporters

And Detractors

To the Editor:

The voters have now spoken and selected those who will represent them in various offices, boards, and commissions. As a candidate for the Board of Education I look back on this campaign with renewed faith in our systems of government. Clearly, there were instances of rude behavior and outright insults. But, this will exist, to some degree, forever and we should not let this type of boorishness cloud our feelings about the fact that we have a system that has internal checks and balances built into it. Even rude people are entitled to vote. Personally, I truly believe that rational and respectful interactions eventually rise to the top. As I have said before, we can disagree without being disagreeable.

This year we saw an increase of 18 percent in the number of registered voters in Newtown compared to four years ago. But I am most heartened by the fact that in the same period we had an increase of 88 percent in the number of people who actually voted. Still, less than half of the people who can vote actually did (42 percent). But this is better than in 2001 when 40 percent of those who could vote did. To me, this is going in the right direction and I hope that it continues to improve. My friends, it is our government –– ours.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have supported and voted for me. For a “new kid on the block” my vote tally was pretty respectful. It was certainly good enough to get me elected. I would also like to thank those of you who did not vote for me. Imagine that! Those of you who have a different outlook or philosophy than the one I represent have, in your own way, forced me to examine my thoughts and vision of tomorrow and made me a better person for it. I truly believe that the best way for one to prove themselves right is for them to try to prove to themselves that they are wrong. If one cannot do that, their position is pretty strong because we know the weaknesses of our own arguments usually better than others. So, thank you all for your help and keeping us, the candidates, on our toes. It’s your and my money we will be spending and you know how strongly I feel about getting very good value for our tax dollars.

During the campaign there were instances where I believed that seated officials were distorting the truth and putting a “spin” on their arguments for their personal political gain. My friends, this is wrong! Life is complicated enough as it is without us making it more so by misleading others. We must demand from our elected officials honesty, forthrightness, integrity, and above all common sense, which, unfortunately, is not very common any more. I will strive mightily to stand by those principles that I have articulated during this campaign. If I am in the majority great; if not –– then so be it. I will do all I can to represent those 3,381 people who voted for me as best as I can. I will also do the same for all the voters, children in our system, and those who are employed by our system. I sincerely hope that I will be worthy of the faith and trust you have put into my hands.

Paul Mangiafico

15 Kent Road, Newtown                                        November 7, 2003