To the Editor:

Our first selectman, Herb Rosenthal, has proved to be a strong, effective leader that we can trust.

His advice and counsel was invaluable to me when I first became a member of the Newtown Board of Education. I sought out Herb in order to benefit from his many years of experience as a school board member and chairman. His observations were of such clarity and value that they’ve stayed with me to this day. Herb Rosenthal has served Newtown and served it well in a number of capacities. We are fortunate to have a first selectman with such a breadth and depth of fine service to this town.

In an election, challengers seek an edge by coming up with multiple proposals, spinning dreamy tales of the utopian era they will usher in. This is to be expected. Since they can’t point to their accomplishments, they can only state their goals. Incumbents, already enmeshed in the day-to-day responsibility of leadership, necessarily have both feet on the ground. When running a business or voting for your own first selectman, the place to have your feet when choosing your key personnel is firmly on the ground.

Let’s keep Herb Rosenthal — his experience, integrity and wisdom — on the job.

Sincerely,

Margaret Hull

6 Fern Lane, Newtown                                              October 28, 2003