Endorsed by the Newtown Bee

Ringing endorsement for Dan and Maureen from the Newtown Bee.

“Change simply for change is not what we advocate. But change rooted in where we have been and where we are going is a positive for this town. While Mr Rodgers and Mr Rosenthal both have experience and natural leadership skills invaluable to the office of first selectman, The Newtown Bee endorses Dan Rosenthal for first selectman, believing he is the person to combine those talents with the above-mentioned qualities. With a fresh but realistic outlook, he can spit shine Newtown to make it glow — and grow — in a manner that suits this New England town. Voting Ms Crick Owen into office beside him will give our town the one-two punch needed to keep the town on track, stable, and firm in what and who we are.”    11/2/17

https://newtownbee.com/determining-our-future/

Eric

An Honor and Privilege to Serve on the Board of Finance

To the Editor:

It’s an honor to run for re-election to the Board of Finance and truly a privilege to have served Newtown over the past years. Our family has lived in Newtown for 26 years. I served on the Board of Finance from 2001 to 2011 (time of inception until time elected to the Board of Selectmen); 2011 to 2015 Board of Selectmen; and Board of Finance 2015 to 2017. I have served as chairperson and vice chair of the Board of Finance. Many know my wife, Stephanie, who was president of Newtown Scholarship Association, and my children who attended Newtown schools, Tara, Jimmy (volunteer firefighter with Hook & Ladder), Kelley, and Owen (and their sports.) I have also served as vice chair of the Family Counseling Center and am warden of the Borough. We believe strongly in giving back to our community that has given us so much… a picture of John F. Kennedy hangs in the entrance of my office.

At Lehigh University I double majored in finance and economics with an emphasis in public finance, and a minor in government. From my studies it was easy to understand the peer review and mathematical/statistical models regarding closing schools and property values — conclusion: the closing of the Hawley School Elementary School would not save money. For the past 25 years I have been a small business owner running my law offices. I understand the need to make a payroll each week. Understanding local small business is important when sitting on the Board of Finance.

The coming years will present financial challenges to Newtown. Specifically, Newtown is in the top 25 percent tax/per capita towns in the state. It is one of the factors that must be addressed in order to achieve a Moody’s AAA rating (bonding savings). The other holdback is our grand list. It needs to be increased by smart commercial development. A way to remember our policy directives at the voting booth would be — “it’s about T.E.D.” meaning it’s about Taxes (controlled), Education (Blue Ribbon), and Development (smart!). Like any business, we need to find further efficiencies and economies of scale. We should also continue to focus on senior tax relief. Education (Blue Ribbon quality) is not only important for the economic and cultural health of our country, but it drives the demand to move to Newtown. That demand raises property values and increases the grand list. Commercial development alleviates the property tax pressure on Newtown residential taxpayers. It needs to be smart, though. We all love Main Street and the rural feel of Newtown. These need to be preserved. Once our treasures like Main Street, the flagpole, volunteer fire companies, cultural arts, Edmond Town Hall, the Meeting House, etc are lost, they are gone forever. Without them, the demand to move to Newtown is diminished and our property taxes rise.

Please visit newtownctdemocrats.org for more information.

Thank you for your consideration. Please remember to vote on 11/7/17!

Sincerely,
Jim Gaston
18 Main Street, Newtown         October 4, 2017

carareilly

DTC Announces Candidates for November Municipal Election

On Thursday, July 20, 2017, the Newtown Democratic Town Committee enthusiastically endorsed candidates for this November’s municipal election. The well-rounded candidate slate, consisting of many incumbents and a slew of newcomers, is as follows:

  • First Selectman:
    • Dan Rosenthal
  • Selectman:
    • Maureen Crick Owen
  • Legislative Council District 1:
    • Chris Eide
    • Judit DeStefano
    • Paul Lundquist
  • Legislative Council District 2:
    • Dan Honan
    • Clinton DePaolo
    • Jordana Bloom
  • Legislative Council District 3:
    • Kelley Johnson
    • Robert Pickard
    • Chris Smith
  • Town Clerk:
    • Valerie Hart
  • Board of Finance:
    • Keith Alexander
    • Roger Cyr
    • Jim Gaston
    • Steve Hinden
  • Board of Education:
    • Michelle Ku
    • Debbie Leidlein
  • Planning and Zoning:
    • Barb Manville
    • Don Mitchell
  • Planning and Zoning (alternate):
    • Margot Snellback
  • Zoning Board of Appeals:
    • Alan Clavette
    • Prerna Rao
  • Zoning Board of Appeals (alternate):
    • Joe Bojnowski
  • Police Commission:
    • Andy Sachs
  • Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers:
    • Jen Guman
    • Herb Rosenthal

 

carareilly

Municipal Campaign Training Coming to Newtown!

Thursday 4/20 update!  Comptroller Kevin Lembo is coming too!  It’s a party!  Be there or be square!

Now with 100% more Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman!  Hooray!

The Lt. Governor will be here with us in the morning session, so make sure you register and get in there!  Spots are filling up!

Newtown Dems Run for Office Training Seminar

Always thought about running for office, but not sure where to start?  Well, start here!  We are hosting a training event on 4/22/17 at the Newtown Middle School.

This is a FREE event for all Democrats and interested folks looking to run on the Democrats row in their town election this fall.

Registration is live!

We are running four time blocks for classes.  Each block will have four of the programs running during that block.  The classes are as follows:

Using Social Media with Newtown’s own Kyle Lyddy!

VAN 101 with Jen Thomas

Field Organizing with Dhru Nag

Communications and Literature with Christian Murray

Understanding SEEC Rules – SEEC representative

Fundraising with Meghan Frangione

GOTV  with Lindsay Farrell

Panel Discussion with locally elected officials

Getting involved in High School for students – Katsuri Mia

EricLeave a comment

We are still here!

While we are excited that Rep Esty and Sen Blumenthal are going back to DC to work for us and be our voices, we were disappointed in the other results.  Especially Eva’s.  Her hard work and dedication to the citizens of Newtown are unparalleled.  Her focus on what works for Newtown and her ability to be our voice in Hartford is an opportunity missed.  Eva never gives up, never stops fighting for the working families and we are sure that her voice in Newtown will not be silenced.

So, we are still here and going to continue to work for Newtown families, children, teachers and workers.  Next year is the local election and with the voters ensuring that the Board of Education will have differing voices on it, voices that can’t be ignored, our work starts anew.

If you were as disappointed as we were, but not sure where to turn, come to one of our meetings, we are looking for new members and people willing to step up and work for a better, nicer Newtown.

 

 

Eric