To the Editor:

Newtown is fortunate to have two wonderful candidates offering their leadership this fall in Gary Fetzer and Joe Hemingway, running for first selectman and selectman, respectively.

Not only do Gary and Joe inspire a renewed spirit of volunteerism in their community, they seek to engage the people of Newtown in other new ways. They’ll bring people back to local government by bringing it to them — meeting with constituents outside of town hall, in their own neighborhoods, and extending hours when they are in the office. That’s the right kind of leadership, and it’s nothing new to either of these candidates.

As a past selectman with experience on the town’s Charter Revision Committee and other bodies, Gary understands where Newtown has been and where it needs to go. Joe’s experience as a councilman, and his longtime involvement with PTAs and other important community groups, make him the perfect partner to help Gary move Newtown forward.

Most campaigns promise that all voices will be heard and ask people from all parts of the community to join the efforts, but after election season not as many municipal governments are actually run that way. Gary Fetzer and Joe Hemingway are making that promise and we know they will deliver, because that’s what they’ve always done for Newtown.

I urge the voters of Newtown to support Team Newtown by electing Gary Fetzer first selectman and Joe Hemingway selectman.

Dan Malloy

277 Ocean Drive East, Stamford                              October 16, 2009