To the Editor:

I am writing to offer my wholehearted support for Tim Holian for judge of probate for the towns of Newtown, Bethel, Redding, and Ridgefield.

The judge for our newly created probate district will now service approximately 78,000 people. In the past, four judges served in the above mentioned four towns. If the judge is being paid a full-time salary, isn’t it reasonable to expect that he/she will work full-time? Tim has promised from the beginning that he will give up his law proactive when he is elected to the office. On the other hand, Tim’s opponent has repeatedly said that he will not do this…that a part-time judge for 78,000 people is sufficient. Even the State of Connecticut’s “Minimum Standards for Probate Judges” requires that… “The probate judge for each district must be reasonable available at all times.” How will a part-time judge fulfill this requirement?

Another issue for Newtowners to consider is that our probate court, which for many years was located in town, has been relocated to Bethel. We’ve lost our court…please let’s not lose our judge. Every Newtowner, regardless of party affiliation, has the power to ensure that a Newtown judge represents us. If everyone goes to the polls and votes for Tim Holian on Election Day this can happen. Tim is a lifelong Newtowner who returned to town to practice law over 27 years ago. During his long career in Newtown, his main focus has been on probate matters. Tim’s experience, expertise, compassion, and common-sense approach will serve us well. He will represent the people of our newly created probate district honorably.

The work “probate,” is based on the Latin root meaning “to prove.” I am confident that Tim Holian will “prove” to be an excellent judge of probate.

Sincerely

Michelle Rosenthal

70 Main Street, Newtown                                           October 27, 2010