To the Editor

On April 25 I hope that Newtown voters will give their approval for a new senior center.

Senior citizens are the fastest growing segment of Newtown's population. This is actually good news for Newtown. Seniors pay property taxes but do not contribute students to the school population, so they add no cost to the town's school budget. Because they have the experience, the time, and the interest, they serve in large numbers on our town boards and commissions.

In addition, they are dedicated volunteers in the ranks of the charitable organizations which serve Newtown residents. They buy the municipal bonds that allow public works, like our proposed community center, to be built. But most important of all, their presence in Newtown enables our town to be a three-generation community. Personally, I believe that a community, like a family, functions best when it has three generations of experience, wisdom, and good counsel to impart. Newtown should encourage the involvement of its senior population. A senior center is part of that encouragement.

And, by the way, seniors no longer look and act like the seniors you once knew. After all, every member of the Rolling Stones is a senior citizen. Our Newtown seniors are upbeat and young at heart and mind. They are givers, not takers.

Please vote for the senior center bonding proposal.

George C. Guidera

24 Equestrian Ridge, Newtown         March 31, 2017