To the Editor:

It’s an odd numbered year, and that means it’s time for our municipal election. Before you quickly turn to another article, please read on. It’s important.

The state and national elections held in even numbered years draw all the money, hoopla, and media attention (not to mention a much higher percentage of voters), but municipal elections are where the rubber meets the road. Many of our elected town officials have a critical say in the quality of our schools, the safety of our community, garbage pick-up and recycling, the condition of many of our roads, the balance between residential and commercial development and between development and open space.

These are the things we see and deal with every day.

Except for our First Selectman and our Town Clerk, all of these elected officials are volunteers. They are all passionate and hard-working, and although they don’t all have the same vision on all things, they all care tremendously about Newtown. I have had a very small role in interviewing some candidates for appointed boards, and I have been consistently impressed with their expertise and their willingness to give up their personal and family time to help make the town run.

Our local political parties are now in the process of interviewing and selecting their candidates for the November election. They always can use good candidates to run for office. There’s plenty of room.

It might be a little out of your comfort zone, but you’ll meet lots of other people who want to make Newtown better for all of us, and you’ll get the opportunity to make a real difference that you’ll be able to see every day. Give them a call or drop them an email. See what they have to say and judge for yourself how you can help. They’re on the web or on Facebook.

Peter Schwarz

Newtown