To The Editor:

I am responding to the “Democratic Response to Political Attack letter” written on October 10.

It sounds like I hit a nerve! Let’s set the record straight, shall we …

True — I did vote in favor of the municipal budget, which was a very reasonable 2.75%.

Regarding not opening the BOE budget book in 2024, again, true.

But what Chris & Eric failed to point out is that while I listened to all the predictable line items followed by predictable questions followed by all the predictable answers, and the Democrats predictably voting to give the BOE everything they asked for, I was the only LC member that concentrated on the side of the equation where 700 people in Newtown can’t pay their taxes, 400 rely upon the food pantry to put food on their table, and there are 115 homes that are in foreclosure. And while I am not on the BOE subcommittee, unlike my democratic friends, I made it a point to meet with the superintendent(s) both budget seasons face to face. So, to accuse me of “blindly” cutting the BOE budget is a blatant and despicable lie.

What else did they lie about? Twenty-eight school positions were removed; the positions were never filled. What else did they lie about? BOE passed in a bipartisan fashion? Half-lie: in 2024 they again tried to jam a 5% BOE tax increase through only to have it rejected at referendum. I proposed a 2.75% compromise that ultimately passed. What else did they lie about? My failure to mention the reduction in state aid and the increase in insurance premiums? Newtown needs to be run like an efficient company to be successful. I am not against education; I just want the school administration to make the most out of every dollar. Right now, $.66 out of every tax collected goes towards the BOE budget.

And finally, my failure to offer solutions to raise revenue? I proposed a “Tanglewood model” compromise for 6 Commerce Road that could potentially generate millions of dollars in revenue for the town. I proposed and am still in favor of an ordinance for peaceful protesting that would save the town potentially $225k in police overtime. My Democratic friends didn’t even want to consider that.

And what solutions have C&E offered? Eric wanted to add $300K to the BOE budget for a kindergarten class that had no impact on learning Spanish! And Chris wanted the parents to pick up the tab for extracurricular activities THAT THEY ALREADY pay for. My advice: don’t throw rocks if you live in glass houses.

One of our main responsibilities on the Legislative Council is advocating taxpayers’ dollars in the best interests of the Town and trying to make it more affordable without degrading services. Unfortunately, the Democrats can’t run on “affordability” since they already burdened the residents of Newtown with a huge tax increase last year, but I can.

I am humbly asking for your support on or before November 4.

Derek Pisani

Newtown