To The Editor:

I’m deeply honored to have been elected to Newtown’s Legislative Council (District 3) and I want to thank the voters for their trust, their engagement, and their belief in the importance of local government. The hundreds of Newtowners I met in the course of this campaign cemented my conviction that Newtown is the single best place to live in Connecticut. I am grateful to be a part of this wonderful community.

I owe heartfelt thanks to my gorgeous wife Nancy, whose patience and forbearance during this campaign were nothing short of heroic. She endured more tales from the campaign trail than any spouse should be asked to tolerate. I also want to thank my daughter Lucy, whose campaign expertise — honed in the trenches of Rhode Island politics — made her the perfect manager, strategist, and occasional therapist.

I’m proud to have run alongside a remarkable slate of fellow Democrats, buoyed by the leadership and coattails of candidates including First Selectman-elect Bruce Walczak, whose energy and vision will serve our town well, and Michelle Embree Ku, whose commitment to Newtown is unmatched. I’m also grateful to my competitors, all of whom were eminently qualified and deeply committed to Newtown’s future. I especially want to recognize Tracey Pertoso, with whom I served on the Economic Development Commission, and Tom Long, whose principled decision to leave the Republican Party and stand for office as an Independent, in my view, a mini profile in courage.

As I begin this term, I pledge to listen, to learn, and to serve with transparency and respect. I welcome input from all corners of our community, and I look forward to working together to build a stronger and better Newtown.

Arnie Berman

Sandy Hook