To The Editor:The Bee, she claimed I put our school's construction "at risk." That's a lie. Our beautiful new school was conceived as a fast-track project like no other school in Connecticut history, and I supported it from day one.The Bee's June 8, 2013, edition says otherwise. The story, published hours after session, is clear (newtownbee.com/assured-of-its-passage-newtown-delegation-votes-no-on-2b-bonding-measure).

Most of you know me as your neighbor, friend - and someone who has served our community for 16 years. I take my responsibilities seriously and serve everyone, regardless of politics or personal circumstance. If I can help, I do, and I'm proud to have assisted so many to achieve good outcomes. As your representative, it's important to listen to different perspectives and vote for what our community defines as our best interests.

My values were learned from my parents, who taught me my word was a promise and that lying always comes back to bite you. Respect matters, and kindness is a way of life. Today, my wife Luisa and I continue the Bolinsky family values and we're proud to see them in our children, Rachel and Matthew.

In this age, do truth and character still matter? Yes, and today, even more so.

Recently, my opponent sent a mailer implying I didn't support the reconstruction of Sandy Hook School. Worse, she enlisted a former teacher as her partisan hack to mislead you by exploiting our tragedy. Using a nasty attack mailer and a letter to

What I don't support is the intentional twisting of facts to mislead people by emotional exploitation. My opponent's teacher-friend "surmised" an alternative reality, publicly stating that I, as "Newtown's representative, never argued our case." Nothing could be more untrue. With unprecedented access, the entire Newtown delegation and I did little besides argue, ask, negotiate, lobby, and speak privately in joint meetings, in public forums, and task forces about Newtown's and Sandy Hook's needs. Our school was a top priority for healing, along with mental health supports.

Four years ago, entering the legislature, I was embraced by practically every person at the Capitol. Tears flowed freely. We were one, wanting to do the right things. Now, Jan Lee Brookes wants to dirty all the kindness and good intentions.

She claims I never "owned" my vote.

Newtown's 2013 state delegation, Senator McKinney, Representatives Hovey, Carter, and I, supported and nurtured SHES at every stage. But, in an 11th-hour political dirty trick, the project was pulled from the school construction bill and lumped with $750 million of unfunded operational expenses in a toxic state bonding package. As your delegation, we made sure the school measure would pass and then, all cast "Nay" votes on the governor's budgetary malpractice.

We are immensely proud of the new Sandy Hook School. Our efforts helped make it "happen" and it's now one of the finest schools in the country.

On November 8, I'd be honored to have your vote and continue to represent you fairly, openly, and honestly.

Sincerely,

Mitch Bolinsky

106th State Representative

3 Wiley Lane, Newtown         October 26, 2016