To the Editor:

Team Jacob Chaudhary for Newtown hopes you'll consider our record as well as our plans for the future in making the decision on who to support in the Republican Caucus on Monday, July 24, at 7 pm, in the gym at the Edmond Town Hall.

It's been years since Newtown had a contested seat for the top of the ticket. Few people see this part of the process as a result. This is uncharted water for many, which is why we need to spread the word. The vote for contested seats will be held by secret ballot to allow voters to vote for the right person without concerns about relationships or employment.

Team Jacob Chaudhary assumes to not be the candidates presented by the Republican Town Committee and will need to be nominated from the floor, and we will have to have enough supporters present at the meeting on July 24 voting in our favor to have the privilege of being on the ballot in November.

What's at stake? Republicans have the opportunity to participate in choosing the candidate they want to represent them in the election in November when typically that decision is made by a small group of people.

Our team has demonstrated our ability to lead over the last eight years in a variety of ways. As chairman of the council, Mary Ann has led the passage of four consecutive budgets that the voters approved on first try, an unprecedented act in a town plagued by protracted budget battles. This year, Mary Ann proposed a solution that included setting aside $3 million that will insulate Newtown taxpayers against the inevitable shortfall in funding from the state. She also led the successful process of a charter revision package that rewrote our charter, eliminated the town meeting and put more voting power in the hands of the taxpayers. That, coupled with a reduction in borrowing and curbing requested spending, has helped put the brakes on rising taxes.

We are heading in the right direction but have much to do. Roads, roads, roads. The single most supported item in the budget. We need to continue to fund repair and maintenance of our roads at levels that will improve our infrastructure. We need to do it from our operating budget now that we have made forward progress.

Smart growth of the right housing in Newtown that allows young people and seniors to stay here. Supporting smart commercial growth to continue to increase our grand list and reduce the burden of taxes on every resident.

We need to continue to reduce borrowing while making sure we invest smartly in our community. Bringing our senior and community centers online, putting the right people in place to manage it is critical. Mary Ann and Neil are known for being able to make hard decisions under difficult circumstances. We will lead Newtown into the future with experience and heart.

Mary Ann Jacob

65 Mohawk Trail, Sandy Hook         July 20, 2017