Searching For Land Records? Town Clerk Probably Has It Online
To The Editor:
Please re-elect Debbie Aurelia Halstead. She grew up in Newtown, knows its history and people, and has served as Town Clerk for more than a dozen years. She hires great staff, simplifies processes and continually upgrades the technologies. She even generates some funds for the town. People who need certified prints of land records and other vital information now add more than $25,000 each year to town coffers.
Residents can find most everything they need online at the Town Clerk’s site. Birth, marriage and death certificates, and other vital records are all available online. Property records are safe, too. One of the most valuable services provided by the office is a special computer program that recognizes fraud and specifically protects land records. There is also an online dog registration.
Today, our Town Clerk has recognized leadership in Connecticut, and Debbie regularly speaks at multiple town and state organizations. We see her everywhere — friendly, recognizing others and asking about their lives. She’s a Relay for Life captain, she does the books for Meals on Wheels, she’s a leader on CERT, the Citizen’s Emergency Response Team. Many people know her through her years of volunteer work at the Sandy Hook firehouse, and later, when she and Bill Halstead were married.
Debbie is a true leader and volunteer. Please join me in re-electing her to the position she already serves so well — Newtown Town Clerk.
Jane Sharpe
Newtown
“Hires great staff”…that much is true. Unfortunately, Debbie cannot retain her staff. Three of her best Assistants left because of the toxic environment. Never is credit given to her staff who are the ones actually doing the work. It appears that Debbie has enough work outside the Town Clerks office to occupy her time. Please give someone else a chance to serve the community she loves and vote for Renée Weinmann. It’s time to vote for the person and not according to party line.
Respectfully,
Ann LoBosco
I was disappointed to see such a negative characterization of Debbie’s leadership. Anyone who has worked with or interacted with her over the years knows how deeply she cares about her staff, the residents, and the town as a whole. Debbie has been the steady hand guiding the Town Clerk’s office since 2007 — through new technologies, changing state requirements, and even the toughest times in our community’s history.
The office runs efficiently, delivers great service, and continually modernizes to meet residents’ needs — that doesn’t happen without strong leadership at the top. Debbie is accessible, professional, and dedicated to Newtown in every sense. We’re lucky to have someone who combines experience, compassion, and commitment in this important role.
I hope residents will look at her record and continued service, not at divisive or misleading claims. Debbie’s leadership speaks for itself.