To the Editor:

I come from a family with deep roots in Newtown and a long tradition of public service. My great-grandfather was a first selectman, my grandfather a selectman, and my mother a longtime warden of the Borough. I have followed in this family tradition. Currently, I serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Board of Assessment Appeals. I am also president of Newtown Village Cemetery. I work for Newtown Volunteer Ambulance as their office administrator and for the Borough as their zoning enforcement officer. However, for most of my professional career I worked as a paralegal.

To prepare, I have attended Board of Selectmen meetings for the past two years and participated in various committees such as the community center and Eichler's Cove. I understand the structure of town government. Based on these experiences, I feel I am prepared to serve as selectman.

I will work hard to preserve the things that we all love about our town while making the changes that are needed during this time of diminished state aid, namely thinking outside the box to broaden our tax base and supporting more responsible spending to ease the burden on property taxpayers while maintaining necessary services. This is why I am running for selectman.

I will listen and be respectful of everyone. I do not jump to conclusions, but will take the time to understand an issue and consider the consequences of each action. I will obtain the data necessary to make informed decisions.

I support my running mate, Dan Rosenthal's, platforms - strategic long-term planning, responsible economic development, and developing a communications strategy to increase resident engagement. Please join me in voting for Dan on November 7.

I believe in change while honoring our past. I would appreciate your voting for me as selectman on Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Maureen Crick Owen, candidate for selectman

16 Tamarack Road, Newtown         November 1, 2017