To the Editor:

I am a teacher who supports education and encourages responsible budgets that make our school system a strong asset to the community. For local government it is a hard balancing act to be responsible and maintain the best interests of all the residents.

For the last few years I have been proud of the sincere motives and actions of the Board of Selectmen of Newtown. Our local government has operated not on a partisan or self-promoting agenda, but with an approach to town government that puts the general welfare and all of its citizens as first priority. Elections can be divisive, but political games disappear after the votes are counted to put Newtown first. I applaud their efforts. As first selectman, Herb Rosenthal has always been responsive and attentive, while maintaining a reasonable awareness of the concerns of each segment of the population of our town. My many contacts with him have discovered a gracious public servant, receptive to differing opinions and ideas. At the same time he has always been honest about the possibility of being able to use the ideas and still maintain his role as representing the whole town. He has demonstrated a well thought out vision for Newtown that reaches well into the future.

Because I want this level of integrity and service in Newtown to continue, I am fully supporting Herb Rosenthal for reelection and would urge the rest of Newtown to do the same.

Thea Smith

23 Bridge End Farm Lane, Sandy Hook                 October 24, 2007