To the Editor:

I urge everyone to vote for Bill Sheluck for first selectman and a new beginning for Newtown.

Bill is a breath of fresh air for this town. He is uniquely positioned to relate to many who feel “disenfranchised.” He is a retired businessman, old enough, at 62, to understand the concerns of senior citizens. He is also young enough to have three youngsters in elementary and middle school. Bill is a “newcomer” here, yet he and his family chose Newtown eight years ago and are committed to living out their lives in this community.

Bill’s main time in the Newtown spotlight, until now, was as the chairman of the successful 2001 Charter Revision Commission. I worked with him on that committee and was impressed with his administrative and people skills, his thorough research and dedication, and his leadership in getting voter support.

He has conducted a strong and very pertinent political campaign in the same way. The present first selectman emphasizes preserving the town’s character. Yes, Newtown’s citizens are committed to heritage, but most of us believe much more can be done: better planning for the future, tighter controls on spending, better land use practices, support of the arts, and improved economic development. These are the tenets of Bill Sheluck’s platform.

Newtown is a great town, but it is growing and this can’t be reversed. For many months, Bill Sheluck and his running mate Bill Brimmer have been visiting neighborhoods, attending meetings, standing outside coffee shops –– and chatting with citizens at the transfer station.

The bottom line is that people are seeking change. And as we change, we need leadership, planning, and vision. If these are your goals as well, please join me, my family, and neighbors in voting for Bill Sheluck. Allow him to serve the town he loves and deliver on his promise of a better Newtown in the years ahead.

Sincerely,

Jane Sharpe

62 Underhill Road, Sandy Hook                                                                                             October 27, 2003