Questions About

Mr Sheluck’s Candidacy

To the Editor:

I would like to complement Jan Howard on her recent article concerning certain questions bearing on Bill Sheluck’s candidacy for first selectman.

The article outlined serious questions concerning possible discrepancies concerning Mr Sheluck’s previous performance as president and CEO of a failed banking enterprise, and about his unusual method of financing his campaign.

In the case of Sheluck’s previous employment, Jan Howard disclosed that it had been necessary for the New York State Banking Department to take over his failed former firm and to pay off its creditors. Howard’s article also disclosed that there were published reports in The American Banker questioning Sheluck’s leadership, and that he and other officers had been threatened with a suit alleging negligence, gross negligence, corporate waste, and breach of responsibility.

These are serious charges and demand immediate clarification. I believe it is in Newtown’s interest that he provide the public with all documentation concerning this role in clarifying the allegation that he was considered to be a defendant in his former firm’s supposed faulty operation and eventual failure. I believe that this be done by providing a disinterested party (Jan Howard) with the information to be disseminated in a future Bee article.

Concerning the question of Mr Sheluck’s having a separate campaign committee other than the usual Republican party one, or a slate of candidates, it is important that the public be reassured that this unusual move is not being done to mask massive personal contributions by Mr Sheluck or by special interest groups. It is necessary in light of the formation of this special financing committee to dispel suspicion by ensuring that all major contributors be known to the public before election day.

I therefore propose that both Mr Sheluck and Mr Rosenthal, with the help of space donated by the publicly minded Bee, report on a weekly basis the identity and amounts contributed for all donations in excess of $250.

Gerald Finnegan

2 Driftway Drive, Newtown                                  September 28, 2003