Letters Of Endorsement

To the Editor:

It’s easy to write this letter of support for our State Representative, Chris Lyddy; it’s more difficult to review, in only 500 words, the extent of leadership, the number of accolades, and the amount of success he has achieved for Newtown and the State of Connecticut in but two years. We all know how strong Chris has been for education. His awards reflect hard work and vision. Chris has always gotten education right the first time! And, he has never tied himself to any particular party faction, but instead, listens to voters, educates himself on the issues, makes his own decisions, and leads accordingly. I’m frequently in Hartford, as a result, I can tell you who are the most effective and important leaders. In only two years, Chris Lyddy has become one of the leaders. With all due respect to Mr Ferguson, his comment that Chris is too young to influence his party demonstrates a prejudice that has been proven wrong already, and also wrong historically (Jefferson, 25 years old, Declaration of Independence; Hamilton, 21 years old, Aide-de-camp to George Washington; Madison, 21 years old – Virginia Constitution, 32 years old – US Constitution; the Republican “star” John Rowland was 29 years old when elected to the US House).

Here are some of the important issues that Chris has been instrumental in addressing for Newtown:

Hawleyville-Transfer/Railroad: Fought the railroad and co-wrote the state legislation that protects the wetland process (the Republican governor vetoed it; Chris led the fight that overrode the veto);

Acted immediately to secure full State Public Health hearings and stay the United Water Co. effort to deplete Newtown’s aquifer and jeopardize the Pootatuck. The Republican governor is pushing for water to Brookfield at financial and environmental costs to Newtown;

Collaborated on the State Education Contingency Account legislation that enables Boards of Education to place into a town account unexpended yearly monies to be drawn in subsequent years. This allows Boards of Education to more efficiently budget without risk of underfunding. There is a limit to the amount permitted in the Contingency fund;

Promoted Fiscal Accountability and Responsibility (FAR) with persons like Representative Tom Reynolds, State Treasurer Nappier and others who champion honest accounting. The governor until last week opposed this, as well. FAR planning also promotes controlled sState spending and sufficient state support to municipalities to alleviate escalating property tax burdens;

Promoted the Municipal Mandate Relief bill that reduced municipal administrative costs, freeing them from previously unfunded mandates;

Promoted the Searchable Budget Database that compels the State Budget to be placed online for public review;

Promotes job growth, reduction of business taxes, and tuition relief for students in Connecticut colleges who major in mathematics or the sciences and work in Connecticut jobs;

Provides office hours in Newtown.

And there is more, but … I’m out of space.

In short, Chris Lyddy is an experienced leader, and a native Newtowner committed to us. He has earned reelection.

Thanks.

Sincerely,

Jim Gaston

18 Main Street, Newtown                                     September 28, 2010