To the Editor:

It is my privilege to write in support of Chris Gardner for District 1 Legislative Council. Chris is a lifelong Newtown resident. Chris sees the control of taxes, good schools, and smart commercial development as the avenue forward. Chris has been married for 25 years, has a son in college and a daughter in the high school.

He is director of communications for the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. Previously, he worked 20 years for the Waterbury-Republican newspaper as an investigative reporter winning numerous awards, Bureau Chief and News Editor. Chris knows how to peel the onionskin and get to the heart of an issue!

Chris has amazing energy; he currently serves on the Board of Finance, for the past eight years has served on the Board of Burgesses and is currently senior burgess, and is “Keeper of the Flag” in charge of maintenance and upkeep of the town’s iconic Main Street flagpole. Chris has also served those most needy as former chairperson of the board of Newtown Youth & Family Services. He has also coached youth sports in Newtown for many years and was a member of the board of directors of the Western Connecticut Youth Hockey Association.

I have longed served Newtown and the Borough. From my vantage point, Chris is one of the best of the best. Chris listens. Sometimes, he is the last person to speak, but makes the most important point. He is persuasive, but not disagreeable. Smart, dedicated, giving, honorable, and caring for the entire community. If you support all the above, as well as controlled taxes, good schools, and smart commercial development, Chris Gardner is your perfect candidate. He’s mine.

These are my own opinions. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Jim Gaston

Newtown