To the Editor:

This letter is to endorse Desiree Galassi for Board of Education representative. I have known Desiree for many years now and consider her a close and trusted friend. Our sons are the same age, our husbands coach soccer together, and I have worked closely with Desiree at Middle Gate School. I feel she has excellent qualities that will serve to benefit our educational system, and ultimately our children, in Newtown.

Desiree is an educator at heart. Both my sons participated in her Italian Language classes that she teaches at Middle Gate School. She also taught the second grade session of the Junior Great Books program at Middle Gate in which my younger son participated. I have witnessed firsthand the love and dedication that she puts into teaching children.

Desiree has very strong organizational skills. Two major projects I’ve watched her take on and succeed at are the building of her home and leading the Middle Gate PTA in her role as president. Desiree took on the role as general contractor during the building of her new home four years ago. Growing up in a family of builders and having recently worked closely with my brother while building my own house, I am very aware of the amount of time, energy, and commitment that goes into this task. There are many stages that have to be done in a critical timetable, as well as a lot of red tape and setbacks to navigate through. One has to have the ability to work with many different personality types in a cooperative manner to produce a quality product at the end of it all.

Serving as Desiree’s First Vice President on the Middle Gate PTA Board last year, I witnessed how strong her sense of commitment and persistence truly are to accomplish a goal that she has set, regardless of what she may have on her plate at the time. I have a huge respect for her sense of honesty and doing things the right way, no matter how difficult it may be.

I would like to close by stating that I do not care about politics. I care about people, specifically the children. Our children are the future of this town, and they deserve to have the best education that we can give them. Desiree Galassi has the courage to fight for what is right for them, as well as the perseverance to succeed. Please vote for her as Board of Education Representative on November 6.

Respectfully submitted,

Lorine Watkins

149 Huntingtown Road, Newtown                        October 31, 2007