To the Editor:

I am writing to ask voters to choose Will Rodgers and Jeff Capeci to lead Newtown as the next first selectman and selectman, respectively. Though I know them both well, this letter focuses on Will, and one aspect of his character I wish to highlight.

Will is devoted to community and public service. I know this because Will and I have served in multiple capacities together.

Perhaps most importantly, Will was instrumental in taking the legal steps necessary to ensure that the money raised in the immediate aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy remained in local control. He was an incorporator of the Community Foundation to which Newtown Savings Bank and the United Way turned over the moneys they had collected. He chaired the Transition Team that devised the system under which that foundation operated, and he serves as an ex officio member of the foundation's Board of Directors. As one of the original directors myself, I can attest to the great efforts Will made in this regard. Finally, we sat together in the governor's office and rebuffed his efforts to interfere, and personally handled, face to face, inquiries from the state attorney general himself in the course of him verifying that the foundation acted properly and in conformity with donor intent.

Will's record in volunteer politics is long. In the past, we served on the Legislative Council together. I was impressed by Will's abilities to foster compromises and bring opposing groups together as chair. He's also been a faithful running mate to Pat Llodra these past eight years.

Will is currently serving as legal counsel to the US Military Museum in Danbury, a nonprofit organization where I serve as president. The museum is currently transferring many of its assets to another charity and Will has provided invaluable help in that process.

Finally, Will's own military service deserves mention. He was a Reservist in the Marine Corps for 30 years, retiring as a full colonel. While during peacetime he served in judge advocate billets, last as an appellate judge for the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, he also volunteered for a tour in Iraq in a nonlegal capacity, a tour for which he was awarded a Bronze Star.

Simply put, Will's service to town and country are long, and we'd be lucky to have him transition to working for us full-time. Please vote for Will and Jeff.

Joseph DiCandido

4 Whitewood Road, Newtown         October 24, 2017