To the Editor:

Over the course of the campaign, I will be taking the time to further introduce who I am and my vision for representing our community as a member of the Legislative Council.

One of my strongest attributes that truly represents who I am is my advocacy for the working class. Those who know me know that I belabor my ideas and have passion for helping working people. All working people. I think the traditional idea of what constitutes the working class has shifted over the years and now encompasses far more people than what someone may expect. So, when I talk about helping working people, I mean all working people.

Like most working families, my family faces the financial challenges of today. The rising cost of housing, the rising cost of commuting, the rising cost of feeding your family… in short, we face the challenge of the rising cost of living. Which is why I believe in financial responsibility from the town on behalf of its citizens.

To me, financial responsibility isn’t purely decreasing expenditure to decrease tax bills. We always need to make sure what the town spends is streamlined and efficient. With that said, Newtown also has an obligation to provide services to its residents. Decreases of hundreds of thousands dollars, if not more, by eliminating or reducing services sometimes costs working people more than they gain.

Consider this example: spending $850,000 on a service (could be Park and Recreation service, educational program, etc.) could seem expensive and like a waste of money on its face. However, the average per-family cost of such a project could be $4.25 per year. Not spending the money for the service, and thereby saving residents $4.25, does not allow them to seek out those services. $4.25 does not allow a family to buy that service. Some in our community may have the means to seek these services and pay for these services. Only through community efforts can working families afford services.

We need to work together as a community to ensure needs are met. Spending taxpayer money must be done mindfully. Community Matters.

Thank you,

Clinton DePaolo

39 Buttonball Drive, Sandy Hook August 28, 2019