To The Editor:

Our First Selectman, Jeff Capeci, and his Selectman running-mate Charlie Gardner bring a collective 30 years of exceptional public service to Newtown. They have my support to lead our town for the next two-years based on a common level-headed approach to listening, empathy, accountability that have quietly, confidently contributed to significant records of success in their respective roles that built upon each’s personal, family, professional lives, and benefitted Newtown in their consistent application of steady leadership.

Jeff has served our town for more than 20 years, mostly in elected volunteer capacities, always with a respectful way of concentrated listening that is initially focused and quiet, then inquisitive, and responsive. As a Software Engineer and manager his focus and ability to think outside the box was always appreciated by those he worked with, for, and especially by the folks working under his tutelage. He’s locked-in to listening and understanding you. How, you may ask, do I know this? Of all the folks I know or work with, Jeff Capeci has never once stopped listening long enough to finish other peoples’ sentence. Think about that for a second…

Over the municipal course of his career, he’s served ten years on the Legislative Council, six as its chair, and has chaired two Charter Revision Commissions, including the one that bifurcated the town and school budgets, bringing clarity to the meaning of every referendum since. As First Selectman, Jeff has prioritized fiscal discipline, infrastructure investment, accelerated the redevelopment of Fairfield Hills, winning historic designation, federal tax credits and grants, that will lead to the historic redevelopment of what will be 169 units of workforce affordable housing in a place it is welcome. Putting Kent and Shelton Hoses back on the tax-rolls will hold the line on our property taxes.

Charlie Gardner has been active in our town for nearly ten-years, having served in roles like Legislative Council Vice-Chair, Board of Assessment Appeals member, and member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. As a Board of Selectmen candidate, Charlie is committed to working hand-in-hand with First Selectman Capeci, providing responsive public service, great listening, educational excellence, enhancing pedestrian safety, a voter-driven long-term planning process, and promoting housing affordability.

A practicing Attorney for fourteen-years, Charlie also serves as a research fellow with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, on our state’s Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights, and as a member of the Commission on CT’s Development & Future. He’s a “giver”.

Whether you’re voting early, absentee, or on Election Day please join me in casting your vote for Jeff Capeci for First Selectman and Charlie Gardner for Selectman. For Newtown’s today, and for our tomorrows, you’ll be “In Good Hands.”

Mitch Bolinsky

Newtown