To the Editor:

Some of you may not know that I have many titles: town clerk, registrar of vital statistics, notary, webmaster and municipal veterans representative.

This position gives me the honor of being embedded in this remarkable community in many areas.

It has given me a unique perspective over the years on what it means to embrace and commit to a leadership role within the community.

Each of these roles allow me the opportunity to collaborate and interact with many individuals throughout the Town of Newtown, our state government, and 168 other town clerks in our State of Connecticut.

Last year put my experience to the test. In past presidential elections we processed approximately 1,600 absentee ballots from voters. In the same time frame for the 2020 Presidential Election due to COVID-19, the absentee ballot process was changed suddenly and significantly and we processed over 7,600 absentee ballots.

It was a monumental task, which couldn’t have been accomplished if not for many late nights with my dedicated staff, volunteers, co-workers, friends, and even my family who pitched in to help stuff envelopes.

During the pandemic, although the doors were locked, business operations were at an all-time peak in the town clerk’s office. My long-term record preservation plan of scanning land records and survey maps allowed attorneys, realtors, surveyors, and title searchers to continue to conduct business, safely, online.

As one of your elected officials serving Newtown for over 16 years, I continually evaluate the needs of my staff and community and mobilize a plan in order to effectively adapt to any environmental or system change.

I humbly ask for your vote Tuesday, November 2, and I assure you that I will always strive to be the town clerk this community needs!

Debbie Aurelia Halstead, MCTC, MMC

Town Clerk, Newtown