Letters Of Endorsement

To the Editor:

Hurrah for our First Selectman Herb Rosenthal and Selectman Joe Bojnowski; they are true friends of Newtown’s athletes!

Over the years, Herb and Joe have consistently walked the walk, not just talked the talk. Recreation and athletics have never had such strong support. In case anyone forgets, back in 1995, Newtown High School had not had a home track meet in over six years as the track was cinder and was not sanctioned for meets until Mr Rosenthal got involved as chairman of the Board of Education. The track and new turf for the football field were included as part of the high school project. He also introduced Rich Barillari, owner of the Firehouse Restaurant, and me to John Martocci and Joe Humeston, president and vice president of Newtown Savings Bank. Newtown Savings Bank agreed to give the Blue and Gold Booster Club a loan of $80,000 to start a concession facility and lights project. This out of the box thinking and support of our town leaders and huge amount of support from The Newtown Bee, and most importantly the community, led to a stadium press box being installed along with the field lights and handicapped-accessible restrooms. In less than two years it was in play, at no cost to taxpayers. This facility, to this day returns approximately $10,000 per year to all student athletes. The Blue and Gold field is used by entire community. Take a drive and see who is there after dinner/weekends.

More recently, Herb and Joe supported the construction of two Liberty baseball fields, the construction/turf installation of the Treadwell all-purpose field (primarily soccer, lacrosse, and football), the construction of the Tilson soccer field (now also used for lacrosse). Herb worked to approve the funds for the completion of the back soccer and lacrosse fields at the high school, even when it required creative drainage and water piping funding. Herb and Joe supported the turf installation at Tilson Field and the construction of a new full-sized baseball field at Fairfield Hills. In addition, the selectmen approved an extremely favorable agreement with a non-profit organization of local origin to build a large indoor sporting complex at Fairfield Hills with donated funds (plan includes an indoor track, basketball courts, and soccer/lacrosse field).

Through Herb’s leadership the town was able to purchase Eichler’s Cove Marina to preserve public access to Lake Zoar for boating and by next year, for swimming. Herb and Joe oppose pay to play, which unfairly taxes our athletes and their families (though they can do nothing about that since pay to play falls under the Board of Education budget). For that matter, they also oppose taxing extracurricular activities, school theater and the arts as well. In summary, Herb and Joe have played essential roles in supporting the town’s wonderfully successful athletes, young and old.

If you think these are important accomplishments of Herb Rosenthal and Joe Bojnowski, I urge you to support them with your vote on Election Day November 6.

Mike Kelley

Former President Newtown Booster Club

Bridge End Farm Lane, Sandy Hook                 September 26, 2007