It Is Important To Listen

To the Editor:

As the Democratic Candidates for the Board of Selectmen, we are planning on talking to a lot of voters this coming campaign. Of course we realize that Newtown covers 38,644 acres, or approximately 60 square miles and there are approximately 300 miles of roads. We also know that many Newtowners don’t focus on the local elections until after the renowned Labor Day Parade. But given the importance of this election, and the absolute need to bring this community together, sooner rather than later, this year our team will hit the pavement early.

Starting Sunday, June 14, we will begin walking throughout the town, talking to you about your concerns, the issues that affect you and your solutions. We will begin by walking around the Main Street and Church Hill Road area. Our progress, as well as the neighborhoods where we will be, is going to be posted on a new website that will be launched soon. We encourage anyone who is interested in the future of the town, or would just like some exercise while they are discussing the challenges that confront this community, to join us.

It may sound simple, but we believe it is important to listen and understand the needs of the residents. We have seen how it is impossible for elected officials to lead, to form a consensus and bring this town together if they don’t listen. Every area of the town has different concerns and priorities. We encourage everyone to be completely candid with us and share what they feel is important to them.

Our next letter will give you information on our website and other means of following our progress; in the meantime you can email us: Gary at Gafetzer@aol.com or Joe at jhshct@aol.com.

We are excited about the campaign and the opportunity to incorporate new ideas to make government more efficient, more responsive to the taxpayers and find ways to meet our obligations to our youth and our seniors. To help find solutions that will make it easier for everyone to meet the challenges of this financial climate. We thank you for your continued support and kindness. Remember, as a team, we are all in this together.

Sincerely,

Gary Fetzer

Democratic Candidate for First Selectman

Joe Hemingway

Democratic Candidate for Selectman

Sugar Street, Newtown/Overlook Knoll, Sandy Hook  June 9, 2009