To the Editor:

Two years ago Nancy Crevier interviewed me for Snapshot. The article appeared in the February 26, 2009, edition of The Bee. One of Nancy’s questions was, “What’s the best thing about Newtown?”

My answer was brief. Beyond the borders of the borough, Newtown to me is quite rural. Most importantly, there are people in Newtown with whom I have dealt who are “doers.” They make things happen. Kathy Geckle, Carol Mattegat, Mae Schmidle, Ann Marie Mitchell, Marie Sturdevant, Paul Mangiafico.

I am writing to express my support for the election of Paul Mangiafico to become a member of the Board of Police Commissioners. My experience with Paul is that he is a person who “gets things done.”

For years each spring I brought in a load of topsoil to repair lawn erosion caused by water from a Taunton Lane drain pipe that discharged onto my property. Two years ago, a large oak tree uprooted and fell onto my neighbor Dr Mitchell’s property. The tree’s root system had rotted due to years of prolonged wetness.

I called Joe Borst, our former first selectman, who came right out. Upon seeing the extensive erosion and the fallen tree, Mr Borst phoned Ron Bolmer and Fred Hurley who, when they saw the erosion, decided that plugging the drain pipe that discharged onto my property would eliminate the problem. Water coming down Taunton Lane in the pipe under the road would, when it reached the plugged drain pipe, continue flowing down Taunton Lane in the pipe under the road.

About a month passed. Then, one day over lunch with Paul Mangiafico, I mentioned my erosion problem. I told him that a “fix” had been decided upon and that I was waiting for the work to be done. He said he would make a call.

Two days later a town crew arrived on site and the permanent “fix” was done.

Paul Mangiafico has served Newtown for many years. He has ruffled a fair number of feathers. He is known and recognized as a person who acts. He is a “doer.” He makes things happen. I believe he would be an asset as a member of the Board of Police Commissioners.

Sincerely,

Charles Speidel

64 Suzie Drive, Newtown                                     September 30, 2011