To the Editor:

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been reflecting on the campaign season which for me started in mid-June. In that time, I have taken the time to go door to door and work with many of the great candidates on the DTC slate. I am proud to be part of such a hard-working team.

There is one person that I am especially honored to be working with, and that is my running mate Michelle Embree Ku.

Michelle and I first began working together when I joined the Board of Education just over seven years ago. I was fortunate to work with her on multiple important projects, including creating healthier start times for our students and navigating a pandemic. During that time, I witnessed her commitment to students through her work as a member of the CABE Board of Directors (which she later talked me into taking on) and working at the state level to advocate for the needs of Newtown’s students.

When I contemplated running for First Selectman, the only person I wanted to run with me was Michelle. In addition to having seen her commitment to the students and community, she was always someone that I could turn to with ideas or for a second opinion. Even when we didn’t agree on an issue, she was always open to having a conversation and often helped me see a middle ground, or even changed my mind completely.

That level of collaboration is what makes us a great team, and why I asked Michelle to run for the Board of Selectmen alongside me.

I hope that when you head to the polls next week on November 7th, you will agree with me that Michelle is the best choice to join the Board of Selectmen.

Dan Cruson

Newtown