To The Editor:

I’m Jim Gaston working to earn your votes for Re-Election to the Board of Finance. I served 4 years on the Board of Selectmen and 16 years as Chair/Vice-Chair of the Board of Finance. I also served 12 years as the Warden of the Borough and 20 years on the Board of Burgesses.

Democrats are about finding efficiencies in funding Schools, Streets, Public Safety, Smart Development and Seniors.

Schools — efficiently fund Schools to keep Newtown Schools top shelf. Education, particularly science and mathematics is critical for national security, research and development. It promotes critical thinking and capitalism.

Streets — are essential for security. Without them, we have no Public Safety and increased car repairs.

Public Safety — Police, Fire, and EMS are essential to a safe community.

Smart Development — means things like no truck warehouses that send 100’s of tractor trailer trucks down Main Street and destroy local neighborhoods. Instead, it means not demolishing Mary Hawley’s home with 70 condominiums/apartments in the middle of the Borough Historic District, but restoration to two superb restaurants, MaryGold’s and Good Old Days.

Seniors — means a Board of Finance policy where Senior property tax credits are re-evaluated every four years, corresponding with the now four-year reassessment requirement and economy.

Affordability? We cannot afford to have elected officials bragging about never opening Town and School budget books, calling Newtowners “stupid” or not wanting to hear from hundreds of voters at a public meeting opposed to 1st Amendment restrictions on Main Street residents requiring them to incur costly permits and police overtime when more than 15 persons are on their property, also potentially interfering with Halloween and Labor Day. (Note, the Danbury model ordinance is not enforced-unconstitutional.)

Please Vote November 4.

Jim Gaston

Newtown