To The Editor:

I am writing in support of Amybeth Laroche for the Newtown Board of Finance. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Amybeth not only as a community leader and candidate, but as a mother, partner, and woman of extraordinary determination.

Amybeth leads by doing, not just by saying. She is strong, resourceful, and relentless in her commitment to getting things done the right way. One of my favorite examples comes from a home project that became a powerful reflection of her character. We dreamed of adding a bluestone walkway to our home, but like many families, we couldn’t afford the steep prices about $50 per slab. Instead of giving up, Amybeth searched tirelessly and found a Facebook Marketplace listing where old bluestone was being removed from a large building site.

Most people walked away when they realized the stones had to be pried up by hand. Not Amybeth. She coordinated the effort, and together we spent four long days with sledgehammers, pulling up massive 15x15 stones embedded in concrete for just $2 to $5 apiece. It was hot, dirty, grueling work, but Amybeth never once said “forget it.” She was determined to see it through.

That’s who she is: willing to put in sweat equity, time, and perseverance to deliver results.

Amybeth embodies these truths. She doesn’t take shortcuts, she doesn’t cut corners, and she never compromises her integrity. Instead, she digs in, finds solutions, and sees things through to the end.

This same grit and resourcefulness will serve Newtown well on the Board of Finance. We need leaders who won’t just talk about problems but will roll up their sleeves, do the hard work, and make decisions with accountability and integrity. I have no doubt she will bring that same strength, courage, and determination to serve our community and our state.

Steve McClay

Sandy Hook