To the Editor:

It’s time for change and time to vote. Here are some tips and choices. First, there’s no need to vote for uncontested offices. Withhold your vote and send a message to all the parties. “We want choices.”

The town needs to elect candidates with the courage to quit doing business as usual. The Old Guard simply can’t handle the job. I urge choosing the fearless and the bold — those with fresh ideas and new initiatives like Bruce Walczak for the Police Commission.

Board of Education: Choose the courageous David Nanavaty. He rejected the Democratic Town Committee’s choice and voted for talented Lillian Bittman who now needs your vote, also. Add Desiree Galassi who understands “technology is rapidly replacing traditional teaching,” and Donna Monteleone, a write-in candidate for the otherwise uncontested 2-year term. She is a world traveler, served in the US Signal Corp, and left the US Army as a captain. Voters must “write in” the name Donna Monteleone and fill in bubble 17F.

For P&Z the choices abound, but Robert Mulholland continues to be a man of courage, asking the hard questions about the “new” town hall, parking, saving trees at Fairfield Hills, and insisting the town comply with the P&Z regulations just as private developers must do.

Democratic and Republican Party candidates have spent recent weeks attacking the Independent Party of Newtown (IPN) platform, but after offered few problem solutions of their own. The eight IPN candidates for Legislative Council are amazing and deserve your vote. They have the courage to step forward, take the criticism, and remain positive. These men and women deserve our support and our vote. Remember: District 1 — Ben Roberts, Al Roznicki: District 2 — Gary Davis, Guy Howard, Po Murray: District 3 — Brendan Duffy, Bob Murray (no relation to Po), Ann Zilick. If not too tired, fill in bubble 3D for my name under the Petition Candidate Row for District 3.

First Selectmen candidate Joseph Borst, a man with the courage to challenge the incumbent, deserves your vote. His civic experience makes him uniquely qualified to be First Selectman, and Paul Mangiafico is the ideal running mate for Joe.

Democracy is hard work. New faces, new ideas, new visions are what Newtown needs in 2007. Vote for the courageous.

Ruby Johnson

16 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook                   October 30, 2007