To The Editor:

Please add my name to the list of voters endorsing Bruce Walczak for Newtown First Selectman.

I have known Bruce for over twelve years, first and foremost as a neighbor. A great one. Bruce enthusiastically supports any number of local charities volunteering his time and talents. These include United Way of Northern Fairfield County, Newtown Youth & Family Services, and Newtown Lions Club. In local government, Bruce served on the Newtown Economic Development Commission, Police Commission, and the First Selectman’s Business Advisory Group under Dan Rosenthal. He has been, in short, a tireless volunteer and advocate for this community.

So, do I endorse Bruce because he’s a “good guy” that happens to be my neighbor. No! I am endorsing Bruce because Newtown needs and deserves new leadership.

To my mind, the biggest challenge facing Newtown is how best we manage our economic and physical growth in a tempered and responsible manner. A slug of active lawsuits against the town reflects the passion, the high stakes, of our competing land use priorities. Sadly, they also testify to deep discontent with current approaches by town leadership. To be clear, I find most social media posts around this important issue hyperbolic with attacks on the town’s elected officials, staff, and board members borderline slanderous. With that said, legitimate concerns have been raised regarding the process for reviewing and approving new building permits. More importantly, these lawsuits and the public discourse on this central issue reflect a lack of vision, of leadership. Where is the broader discussion economic growth that respects qualitative goals of building design, preservation of and access to open space, utilization of existing public utility and road infrastructure, or preservation of our agricultural heritage?

Please join me in voting for new leadership in Newtown. Vote Bruce Walczak on Tuesday, November 4.

Patrick McCleary

Newtown