Balance Is The Key

To the Editor:

The Board of Finance plays an important role in our town. As a Board of Finance member I will bring a unique perspective to the position. As an elected official in his 20s, my viewpoint will complement those at the opposite end of the age spectrum. Our country has consistently recognized the importance of balancing youth with age, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, our own State Representative, Chris Lyddy. Seeing things from a different vantage point helps complete representation for all Newtowners.

I believe in excellence par none. As a three-time All-American swimmer, I know what it means to commit oneself to a goal. There are no shortcuts to success. Hard work and dedication gets the job done. You have my commitment that I will dedicate myself to be the very best of the best on the Board of Finance, to know the issues inside out, and represent you tirelessly.

I have the knowledge and skills to fulfill the work. My mathematical skills are exceptional. My college major — financial mathematics and statistics. I can tell you why certain school enrollment projections are statistically unsound and of no great value. I know some people won’t want to hear that, but if we are going to rely on mathematics, let’s rely on statistically valid mathematics, i.e., probability, not speculative “projection.” This will make a difference in our assessment of projected school enrollments.  

The Town and Board of Education have important needs. Taxpayers also have important needs. Having attended one of the top swim and academic high schools in the country, I see education-wise what works and is important, and the relative costs. Likewise, town services are essential to all. Balance is the key. For me, “frugal” is the word. That doesn’t mean cheap, and it doesn’t mean liberal. It means disciplined and conscientious of cost. As you have heard my father say before, it means “paying for what you can afford now, not what you can’t afford tomorrow!”

As your representative on the Board of Finance, I will have more time than most to commit myself to the work. Two shoulder surgeries eliminated my D1 top college swim goals that I set back when I swam for the Newtown Torpedoes here at age 8–10. I did have a great freshman year and still have some top 20 All-Time distance times for University of California, Santa Barbara. But I haven’t give up athletics. Even when life sets you back, it’s important to persevere. I now have new goals. As a member of the Board of Finance I will continue the Gaston philosophy of fiscal conservatism and educational excellence. My expertise is in economics and mathematics, my father’s expertise in finance and law. We share the same values, with complementary viewpoints.

For more information, please visit the Newtown website at www.newtownctdemocrats.org.

Thank you.

James Gaston, Jr

18 Main Street, Newtown                                           October 10, 2011