To the Editor,

I’ll begin with a thank you. Thank you for supporting me over the past four elections representing District 1 on the Legislative Council. I’m now writing to ask for your support once again as I run for reelection. For these past two years, I’ve had the additional honor of serving as chairman, during which time we’ve accomplished a great deal:

*We presented reasonable town and education budgets to voters who approved them at the first referendum two years in a row;

*We increased support levels for senior and disabled tax relief;

*We saw the reaffirmation of Newtown’s perfect AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor’s, notably aided by our clear and prudent financial / debt cap policies;

*We approved the hiring of a town purchasing agent, who has already saved substantial amounts of money through new procurement practices and competitive bidding;

*We increased road maintenance and repair, on track to address 40-plus miles of repairs in just two years;

*The new Community Center and Senior Center have opened;

*We approved a long-awaited new police department through the repurposing of the old Taunton Press building (completion November 2020).

These are not “my” accomplishments, nor can they be claimed solely by the Legislative Council. These successes reflect the work done together by the democratic majorities and our republican colleagues across the Boards of Selectmen, Finance, Education, and the Legislative Council. These are regular people, all volunteers, who represent a full range of opinions, yet are united in their dedication and care of our town. Community matters to all of us.

To recast our last campaign mantra, I truly believe we are One Newtown, All Together, Continuing Forward. I hope you will trust, support, and vote for me on November 5.

Though I am a member of the Legislative Council, my comments are my own.

Paul Lundquist

148 Currituck Road, Newtown October 1, 2019