Making Choices:

Continuity Of Service

To the Editor:

During the past few months, I have had the honor of serving on the Newtown Police Commission and am running for election in November for this post.

My family and I have had the privilege of living in Newtown for the past six years. My wife, Donna, our twins, Nicholas and Marie, and I live in Sandy Hook. Our children attend Newtown Middle School. We are active members of Trinity Church and I am an assistant baseball coach. We support cultural arts and love the Flagpole Radio Café !

Three years ago, I made the choice to become an American citizen and with that choice came a responsibility to serve. Since then, I have looked for the right opportunities and ultimately chose to offer my service on the Newtown Police Commission.

Why the Police Commission? Well, the duties of the commission are straight-forward and important. We are heavily involved in the development of the Police Department via selection, appointment, and promotion of new officers, we tackle issues such as the improvement of traffic conditions in our town and, together with the Police Department, we strive to improve many other aspects of the safety and security of our Newtown residents.

These duties align well with my “day job” as director of operations at our corporate office in Trumbull, which includes coordination of building projects and partnering with the Trumbull Police and Fire Departments to ensure the safety and security of our site.

Hence I was proud to be appointed to the Newtown Police Commission earlier this year.

Equally as important, I have been very impressed by the way the Police Commission works. Under the excellent leadership of Commissioner Giannini and with strong support from Chief Kehoe and Captain Rios, meetings are conducted seriously and professionally, with a “can do” approach that makes the most of the diverse team and experience that we have in place. I have seen many occasions where motions are endorsed unanimously and progress is made. However, everyone has a voice and all opinions are heard before a decision is taken. This is an excellent model.

Because the position I currently am filling was vacated due to a commission member moving out of town, I must stand for election this fall. I hope you will consider voting for me as a candidate with the Independent Party of Newtown in November so that I may continue to serve you and Newtown on the Police Commission.

Commissioner Neil P. Randle, PhD

4 Erin Lane, Sandy Hook                                        September 7, 2011