To the Editor:

My name is Cathlin Sutton and my father Bruce Walczak is running for first selectman of Newtown.

I thought I would give you an opportunity to know a different side of my father than what you have been reading in the news lately.

My father is not just a father; he is also a teacher. Over the years my father taught me the value of earning what I want by guiding me to always work hard and put pride in my work. I use this lesson in my everyday life and have instilled this on my own children. My father taught me that if you want things for yourself you need work hard, earn them, and appreciate what you have earned. My father has been a huge support in educating me in my career choice over the years, as we are in the same line of work, except he has been doing it for 40 years and I have for 14 years. I look to my father as a mentor in my career growth.

My husband and I recently purchased our first house, and my father was there by our side guiding us through the inspections, negotiations, and closing. My father was a great support to us in a situation that we could have been very naive with if on our own. Even when the home sale process got very stressful my father was still there helping us paint and do many odds and ends in order for us to get into our first home with a 2-month-old baby and an 8-year-old. If it were not for my father, I don’t know if we would have ever gotten the nerve to make the next step to go from renting to owing a home. My Dad helped me understand that it was time to be an adult and make some changes in my life, even if they were risky choices. Even with the current economy we are glad that my dad guided us in that next milestone in life. My kids love having their own rooms and their own yard.

Over the years my father has been a great friend. My father has been very supportive of all of the decisions I have made in the past, even when he may not have agree with all of them, he was always been there being a caring and supportive father. My father taught me that you have to make your own decisions and not expect people to make them for you. He has always been completely honest and objective with the advice and guidance he has given me.  My father can be very firm with his guidance, but he always has the best in mind for me and my future.

If you want to elect someone who will be honest, caring, objective, and will fight for what is best for Newtown, then vote Bruce Walczak.

Thank you.

Cathlin Sutton

53 Old Field Road, Southbury                                  October 6, 2009