To the Editor:

Yesterday, I checked on to the Connecticut Labor Department web page and clicked on to the Connecticut Economic Digest. Anyone can do this and should check in from time to time. It gives the citizens of this state a monthly report on the financial state of employment, business, etc, and where we stand along with a forecast for the future.

Newtown has over 950 people in our town collecting unemployment. This figure is only a picture of those people, living in Newtown, who work in Connecticut and qualify for unemployment benefits in Connecticut. It does not include the self-employed who do not pay in to the system or those people who live in Connecticut and work out of state. The real figure is much higher and not known. What is known is the rising number of our Newtown families visiting food banks, losing their homes, and losing hope in an economy that is not getting better for them. I have talked to hundreds of Newtown residents, at my former job with the Connecticut Labor Department, this current year. Many of them mention not being able to afford Newtown. They report our tax structure is too high; they plan to leave as soon as they can and hope they get a fair price for their property.

Newtown needs a leadership team that understands not only the current economic situation, but the growth forecast for the state and Newtown specifically. I believe that leadership team is Pat Llodra and Will Rodgers. They understand what hardships are being felt by many Newtown citizens. They will promote fiscal responsibility and the collaborative effort that is based on fact, not promises they can’t keep. I think Newtowners want fair, responsible government. I believe that both Pat Llodra and Will Rodgers will do what is needed to influence all our lawmakers to “hold the line” on expenses while promoting fiscally responsible growth for this wonderful town and the citizens who reside here.

Patricia A. Bailey

108 Brushy Hill Road, Newtown                              October 19, 2009