When Times Were Tough

To the Editor:

Now that we’ve survived Irene and the kids are back in school where they should be and we’re all enjoying lights and flushing toilets again, I wanted to say thank you to two who especially took action to help our community out during a frightening and challenging time. As a member of the Newtown Youth Academy, I have enjoyed the full use of that facility since its opening. During the power outage, the NYA opened its doors to all who needed to come have a hot cup of coffee or a warm shower, or to set up shop plugging in laptops, recharging phones and getting work done. I think it was a thoughtful and generous thing to do, especially since it is a privately owned facility. The NYA became a haven for me and my family and so many others here and we want them to know that we are grateful.

I’ve lived in Newtown for 14 years now but never did I truly feel like someone was at the helm and watching over me and my well-being until witnessing Pat Llodra during Irene. The daily updates, whether they contained good or bad news, were instrumental in reducing the stress of the situation and I believed that Pat was sitting in the municipal center kicking some CL&P fanny. Go Pat!

Be well (and well lit) Newtown.

Lisa Wallace

43 Mile Hill South, Newtown                                 September 6, 2011