Letters Of Endorsement

To the Editor:

This November, in Newtown and all across this great country, comes an opportunity for which many American men and woman over many generations have died; the right to exercise our freedom of speech. By participating in the upcoming election process, every adult resident of our town exercises his or her individual freedom of speech by voting for the candidates of their choice.

Choosing the leadership of our town for the next two years is obviously a very important undertaking. With so many financial challenges, like the Newtown High expansion, the Fairfield Hills master plan implementation, and many other infrastructure needs having to do with existing town buildings and roads, we have a responsibility to select fiscally conservative leaders who can draw from private sector experience in the prioritization of these projects.

It is no secret that the voters in Newtown are feeling the pinch of runaway property taxes. I know that since 1994 my personal property tax burden here in Newtown has almost doubled. I also believe that I am in the majority of Newtown residents when I state that my personal income has not doubled during that same time period.

Recognizing that our current administration has not helped us meet the constant challenge of balancing the infrastructure needs of the town with the tax burden imposed on all of us as taxpayers, I think it is time to consider a change at the top level of government here in Newtown. We need some fresh thinking. Our town could use a new perspective, a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

Joseph Borst is running for first selectman and Paul Mangiafico for selectman this November. Among other things, they are campaigning for openness in government, as well as being interested in listening to “we the people,” before spending our hard-earned tax dollars.

Mr Borst has demonstrated his ability to lead in key upper management positions with Sikorsky Aircraft and Perkin Elmer, in addition to serving the people of Newtown for more than 20 years as a selectman and longtime member of the Legislative Council.

Mr Mangiafico is a retired private sector executive vice president, active as a consultant and locally, is completing a four-year term serving on Newtown’s Board of Education.

This November, we the voters need to initiate positive change by voting for Joseph Borst and Paul Mangiafico as first selectman and selectman. We need their combined private sector and public service experience to lead our town in a fiscally conservative way, giving us a fighting chance to control our property tax burden over the next two years.

Respectfully submitted,

Brian Budd

9 Rose Lane, Sandy Hook                                     September 24, 2007