To the Editor:

It seems every day, we see political dysfunction. Regardless of your leanings, I like to think we're all turned off by partisan politics and the paralysis it causes. We need leaders who care more about our town and less about the letter after someone's name.

I proudly support three such positive people for Legislative Council seats in District 1. George Guidera, Joe Girgasky, and Jay Mattegat are longtime Newtown and Connecticut leaders who share your concerns about our community's character, our future, and striking a balance to move Newtown forward by building on our strengths and working with open minds and public input, where improvement is needed.

They share a platform of getting a handle on taxes, building on our outstanding school system, addressing affordability for those on fixed incomes, and leveraging responsible economic development to provide best-in-class local services. Collectively, their experience and records of personal and professional achievement is stunning.

Consider George Guidera. A successful attorney, he's the epitome of public service, beginning with four-terms as state rep and senator in the General Assembly, including a leadership role on the prestigious Judiciary Committee. For 12 years, he was Connecticut's legislative commissioner and then served six terms as Weston's first selectman. In Newtown, he's been a Charter Revision Commissioner and vice chairs the Commission on Aging.

George believes Newtown is a beautiful, well-run community with excellent schools, good zoning, and sound fiscal management. His principles are simple: control taxes, insist on a dollar's value for a dollar spent, and work closely with school officials and parents to strengthen education.

He and his wife, Linda, celebrated their 50th Anniversary with four children and seven grandchildren, one of whom is a NHS grad and another, a sophomore. His daughter serves on Newtown's Inland Wetlands Commission.

Jay Mattegat was born, raised and educated in Newtown schools. This guy is always there with a smile, giving back to family, friends, and our community. He's a Newtown constable, serves our Public Safety Committee and is a longtime board member for Nunnawauk Meadows. Jay's been an Inland Wetlands commissioner, a Newtown Ambulance volunteer, and is a regular at Sandy Hook Fire Company's LobsterFest. He also volunteers with Special Olympics. Jay served in the US Army and is a lifetime Disabled American Veterans member.

He and his wife, Melanie, have two daughters and are proud grandparents to one of Newtown's newest residents, Madison, a sixth-generation Newtown Mattegat.

Joe Girgasky, a 24-year Newtown resident, has already served two Legislative Council terms, including work on the Ordinance and Municipal Operations Subcommittees. He brings a history of sound thinking under pressure, common sense leadership, and an orientation to build on Newtown's recent fiscal successes, while working to lower property taxes and improve efficiencies so we can support our great schools, maintain our infrastructure, and provide important services for seniors and veterans.

November 7, vote Guidera, Girgasky, and Mattegat for Legislative Council in District 1.

Mitch Bolinsky

State Representative

3 Wiley Lane, Newtown         October 25, 2017