To the Editor:

"We the people" must choose the right representatives.

At a time when state government seems so inept and so entrenched in playing partisan politics that they cannot even agree, after months of bickering and posturing, on a budget for the benefit of the state, it seems clear that we as citizens need to be more proactive in choosing the people running our government.

I feel that if we don't have representatives willing to work with one another for the good of the state, then it is up to us to go back to the drawing board and find those individuals who will. People who will listen to the voters, put the wishes and well-being of their constituents above party and are willing to reach out and find common ground. Perhaps bring some much-needed sense and unity to local and state government. This, of course, starts at the local level, the municipal elections, November 7, to be exact.

This past weekend, I offered to volunteer at the local DTC headquarters at 30 Church Hill Road. To my delight, I ran into one such exceptional individual at the DTC, whom for the past year, I've come to know and respect through our work in Newtown Forward. Her intelligence, diligence, and eagerness to contribute for the betterment of our town as well as our state is unmistakable.

Prerna Rao, heeding a similar call to become more involved, had taken it one step further than I and had thrown her hat in the elections for a seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Prerna is a Connecticut native, having grown up in Trumbull and Bridgeport. She graduated from Trumbull High School, attended George Washington University, where she majored in political science, graduated with honors, and secured an internship with Senator Chris Dodd. Afterward she studied at the Quinnipiac University School of Law, where she also graduated with honors.

Prerna worked as a litigator in Stamford for several years and has recently opened her own practice in Trumbull where she practices, among others, commercial and residential real estate, and land use law. Based on her credentials, her experience and knowledge as an attorney, the Zoning Board of Appeals could not be a better fit for her. Also, based on my personal knowledge of her, a more hardworking and approachable individual would be hard to find. Her dedication to our town, willingness to contribute, eagerness to listen and work with others is an asset and I have no doubt in my mind that she is the type of person we need in government.

After 22 years as a resident in Newtown, I have never endorsed a candidate in this manner, and it is because I am so certain of her worth to our town that I take this initiative. Voting for Prerna Rao is a step in the right direction for Newtown as well as our state.

Alex Villamil

11 Antler Pine Road, Sandy Hook         October 11, 2017