To the Editor:

Hurrah for Newtown voters! Newtown registered voters turned out in record numbers last week. Our town and education budgets were approved with strong margins, as were all the referendum items to repair our town buildings and bridges.

Historically, budget decisions have been made by a tiny fraction of Newtown voters. This year, almost 25% of us voted. That is a big jump in participation. Thank you for showing up for your town!

Voting on the annual budget is the most direct way we, the citizens of Newtown, have an impact on our town. Everything we value about our town needs money to preserve or maintain it. We can’t have our beautiful parks and our good schools, our great library and safe roads, without agreeing to spend money on them. Thank you again for your participation.

I am also grateful to every person who reached out to their neighbors to encourage them to vote. I saw people standing outside local grocery stores handing out information. I know people who made many phone calls.

Thank you for your efforts to increase participation in our local democracy, both by educating others about the issues and urging them to take part in the vote.

Anne Renner

Sandy Hook