To the Editors:

Last election, I wrote a letter to the The Bee endorsing Herb Rosenthal as First Selectman. I pointed out that as a Republican this was, for me, a break with my party. However I firmly believe Herb has done a good job for Newtown and should stay in office.

His opponent has not put forth a specific agenda of how Newtown would benefit if Herb were not returned to Town Hall. We know Herb’s record yet Mr Sheluck has provided little of his own background. What he has really done is circle the edges of the issues and nip at them. It’s always easy to find fault, it is more difficult to take on a problem and build agreement to reach a solution that is best for the common good.

Mr Sheluck’s unwillingness to expand on his record bothered me so I did a little research on my own. Mr Sheluck was CEO of Nationar. This bank provided check clearing, liquidity, and processing services to other banks according to FDIC records. According to Mr Sheluck while speaking at the Fireside Inn and describing his tenure at Nationar, “I put them on the fast track. We achieved record earnings and doubled dividends to shareholders.” That has an Enron type ring to it.

What he did not say is that the New York State Superintendent of Banking seized the bank and liquidated it on May 13, 1998. But as early a 1993 Nationar had filed federal court paper seeking bankruptcy protection.

Several letters to The Bee have asked Mr Sheluck to fully disclose his career and the performance of the bank he lead as chief executive officer. As I said before, we know Herb’s record. It has been one of steady, honest, and reliable leadership. We do not need to put Newtown on the “fast track.”

The results of Herb Rosenthal’s service as Newtown’s chief executive officer are public record and they are good. He deserves another term.

Yours truly,

R.P. Gottmeier

13 Antler Pine Road, Sandy Hook                         October 25, 2003