NewCanaanite.com will publish endorsement letters for this local election through Oct. 27. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com.
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To the Editor:
As you can imagine being a longtime resident and active in community affairs, I have penned support letters for people who are likewise involved. I’ve really enjoyed lending my support. But I tell you that I am truly excited about supporting Penny Young for a seat on the Town Council as her contributions to the community, especially our older adults, have been outstanding. She’s had her hand in so many of the organizations in town that provide services from Lapham, Getabout, and Waveny LifeCare and jokes her efforts are not all altruism but more about making sure New Canaan is ready for her as she climbs the age ladder!
We also share the honor of service on the Town Council and have been given the opportunity to serve additional terms. I’ve been impressed with how she comports herself with her fellow councilmen, always with respect for their points of view and a willingness to entertain their proposals and evaluate how they address the needs of our community. She can be steadfast and committed to an issue which after her research and input from the citizens she feels truly benefits us. Sometimes it takes a while to convince her colleagues of the worthiness of a particular stance like the recent approval to form a Charter Revision Commission which she proposed several years ago. But she remained committed to the value of periodic self-analysis and two years ago prevailed. Being formed now, the new Commission will begin analysis of the operations of our town and no doubt will recommend improvements.
Having served 29 years on the Council, I have a seasoned knowledge of the characteristics of an ideal Councilman. Familiarity with municipal government is key as management of municipal finances and operations is dramatically different than found in the business world. Ideally a candidate should have served on a board or Commission in order to understand financial requests and how they fit into the long-range operational and financial plans of the Town.. Penny certainly has fulfilled those attributes and serves as a foundation for her service.
Though you won’t see any designation on the ballot, often ‘incumbent’ accompanies discussion about an individual who has served a term in office. An honor itself, but in Penny’s case two things further validate her seeking a term on the Town Council. First, she won in the Caucus and, secondly, it is the number of terms of service that carries an even more special honor. With each term that she has served, the voters have spoken again as to how much they value her contributions to the Town Council and to the needs/interests of the citizenry. They cast a vote to retain her institutional knowledge and respect her sustained energy and dedication to our community. I certainly will be casting my vote for Penny and trust you will too.
Chris Hussey
7 term Town Councilwoman, retired
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I was shocked to find the libelous flyer attacking Julie Toal’s attendance at BOE meetings. Not only was it factually inaccurate and mean spirited, but it also showed an amazing lack of self-awareness of the poor attendance of some Democrat members of the BOE. It may seem strange at first that the DTC would open themselves up to legitimate legal action and outrage for such a cheap shot at one of our most engaged BOE members. Unfortunately, this has been a pattern in recent elections. In 2023, they attacked me personally for highlighting the underperformance of our young boys. Their social media account had several derogatory and racist comments. Now they attack Julie with blatant lies and disparaging comments online.
To understand this, you must understand that their goal isn’t to take control of the BOE all at once – that’s unrealistic. Their goal is to remove the most effective voices of the BOE. To target the fiercest advocates for parents while quietly reshaping our schools from within. Julie has stood with me in defending the rights of parents and advocating for our children when many others have remained silent. She successfully protected parents’ rights as it relates to kindergarten enrollment, spearheaded a pilot program for social development and has advocated for additional recess to help our young boys thrive. That’s why they have undertaken such a targeted attack, because she is so effective in thwarting their agenda.
It’s time for us to send a clear message that we will protect our values and preserve parents’ rights in our schools. I’m calling on all those committed to that cause to vote for Julie Toal and only Julie Toal. Just use one of your five votes – for Julie. Let’s send a clear message and give a clear mandate to those who defend parents and preserve our schools. I’m confident the other Row B candidates will also prevail but an emphatic vote for Julie is a clear message that they can’t silence your biggest advocate. Make your voice heard – vote for Julie Toal.
Matt Campbell
Board of Education
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I had the pleasure of serving with Mike Rodgers for three years on the Board of Deacons at the Congregational Church of New Canaan from 2021-2024. During that time, I observed his thoughtful responses to the church’s difficult questions and his steady willingness to say what needed to be said. Mike has the courage to speak with candor to solve difficult issues. What Mike says and does are woven deeply into his set of values. I have witnessed his service, kindness, faith and bravery on multiple occasions. I have also seen him speak up as a community member at Board of Education meetings where he has seen injustice or indifference toward our community’s children. He speaks with accurate, well-researched facts and passion in equal measure. Mike will always do what’s right and will make an excellent, level-headed town council member.
Sincerely,
Sara Bakker
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I am proud to endorse Julie Toal for re-election to the New Canaan Board of Education. Julie has shown the kind of steady, student-first leadership that keeps New Canaan at the top of Connecticut’s public-school rankings.
For the past decade, Julie has invested deeply in our community — from coaching youth softball and classroom mom, and leading the Newcomers Club. On the Board of Education, Julie has served on key committees — Facilities, Governance, and Communications(Past Chair) and CES representative and served on several search committees, ensuring that the district hires outstanding educators and leaders.
I had the privilege of serving alongside Julie on the Board of Education for two years, and during that time, I saw firsthand her dedication, integrity, and thoughtful approach to every issue that came before us.
What stands out most is Julie’s commitment to academic excellence and student well-being. She was instrumental in bringing the Let Grow program to New Canaan Public Schools, promoting independence and resilience among our youngest learners. She also helped launch Phone-Free Saxe and co-founded New Canaan Unplugged — initiatives that directly address the rising mental-health challenges linked to smartphone and social-media overuse.
Her approach to curriculum and governance is exactly what New Canaan needs: collaborative, transparent, and grounded in common sense. She believes families should be fully informed and engaged, and that decisions must always reflect what’s best for students. Julie is guided by conservative values like fiscal discipline and accountability, but her focus is squarely on our kids, our schools, and our town. She represents the very best of New Canaan — a leader who listens, learns, and leads with integrity.
I encourage my fellow residents to join me in supporting Julie Toal for the New Canaan Board of Education.
Sincerely,
Bob Naughton
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I admit it has been a while since I dipped a toe into the local governance. I am running for Town Council and it has given me an inside look at The New Canaan Democratic Town Committee’s tactics and I am disgusted! When I served eight years on the Board of Education I am not sure I could have told you who were the Republicans and who were the Democrats and the same goes for my time on Park and Rec and the Youth Commission.
Last week the DTC hit an unacceptable low. They sent a mailer to untold houses in town with a picture of one of the BOE candidates and an outright lie about her attendance. The mailer further said that “Trump’s cuts put $20 Million for New Canaan schools at risk” which is also wrong according the BOE Chair. The Town Schools get close to $1 million per year of outside Government money so even over the 10 year period mentioned in barely visible small print you are wrong by half. And the worst part was “Vote out Julie Toal”.
There was also a mailer with my picture along with the other caucus winners running for Town Council saying “Do you want MAGA Republicans on Town Council?” and “Not a single New Canaan Republican has disavowed Trump’s National AG”. First of all you never asked me if I disavow Trump’s National AG. And for the record there are many things about President Trump and his administration that I disagree with. For that matter there are some things about every administration with which I disagree. None of that makes me MAGA.
This is not New Canaan as I know it and not a town I want it to become. You owe Julie a letter of apology and you should all resign at once. You represent the worst of the politics of today and there is no place for it here in The Next Station to Heaven.
Scott Gress
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Political discourse in New Canaan hit a new low this week.
The DTC’s mailer smearing Julie Toal—approved by Chair Tim Klimpl, Campaign Manager Meredith Tobitsch, DTC members including BOE candidate and Kate Brambilla and Hilary Ormond—twists facts beyond recognition.
Julie attended over 94% of 87 meetings, missing only five while recovering from three major surgeries. Counting one-minute delays as “absences” to fabricate a “40%” figure is dishonest and shameful.
We teach our kids that integrity matters. It’s time our political leaders lived up to the same standard.
Julie Toal deserves our respect—and our votes.
Jason Lacerna
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I wish to enthusiastically endorse Hugo Alves, Philip Hogan and Julie Toal for their courageous track record of leadership at the New Canaan Public Schools (NCPS) Board of Education (BOE), including through the dark days of COVID. Over the past three years, I have personally witnessed the BOE on multiple occasions take controversial positions to advance the interests of the children of New Canaan and their parents, often in the face of vicious attacks from those who would sacrifice the excellence of our school system on the altar of political expediency.
Aristotle called courage the first virtue because it is the foundation which makes other virtues possible. During a time when the quality of education across Connecticut appears to be under pressure (Aleysha Ortiz, CT high school grad who can’t read, sues Hartford), the courage to champion academic excellence and individual merit in our community should be considered to be table stakes for anyone seeking BOE leadership.
New Canaan’s status as the top ranked public school system statewide has been hard won, and Hugo, Phil and Julie have actively addressed parent concerns to ensure that students are immersed in foundational American values and history (New Canaan schools to review curriculum after parent book complaint).
The education of the next generation is fundamental to the success of any community. The parents and children of New Canaan are fortunate that Hugo, Phil and Julie are prepared to continue to serve and have earned our support.
Sincerely,
Heather Lauver
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New Canaan’s school district is once again ranked the very best in Connecticut, including the 3 best elementary schools in the state. This reflects dedicated educators, engaged parents, and steady, principled leadership. Under the guidance of current members of our Board of Education, the district has continued its focus on academic performance, improved transparency and student wellbeing. That is why I proudly endorse Phil Hogan, Hugo Alves and Julie Toal for re-election to the New Canaan Board of Education.
Despite this groups success some opponents would like to suggest that their commitment to parental input, local control, and educational excellence is about national agendas and book burning bogeymen, but they have demonstrated that working alongside the administration and the community they can keep New Canaan’s schools academically strong, fiscally responsible, and focused on students.
I have personally known Phil Hogan to be — a devoted father, youth football and baseball coach, and active advocate for New Canaan families. With children at multiple stages of their education, Phil has brought a unique and balanced perspective to how policies affect students from elementary through high school. He has demonstrated an ability and willingness to work with all board members without compromising his values and beliefs. This constructive perspective has resulted in improved outcomes for our students and families.
I am confident that Phil, Hugo and Julie will continue to champion rigorous academics, transparency, and family engagement — the very qualities that make our schools exceptional.
Vote for Phil Hogan, Hugo Alves and Julie Toal (Row B) for the New Canaan Board of Education — proven leadership for the best schools in Connecticut.
James Yao
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Dear Editor,
As the mother of a current, and two future, New Canaan Public School students I felt the need to voice my support for Julie Toal and the rest of the Republican Board of Education Candidates ahead of the November 4th election.
Julie has worked tirelessly to make our schools safer and more supportive for our kids. Her accomplishments over the last four years should be celebrated. From being a key supporter of getting School Resource Officers in every New Canaan school and helping companion/put in place the Let Grow program, Julie has proven to be someone who truly cares about our families and our schools.
New Canaan is lucky to have someone like Julie on the Board of Education. She is not just a candidate, she is a mother, coach, friend and is exactly the kind of person I want making decisions for our children. On November 4th, Vote Julie, Vote Row B, and Go Rams!
Kelly Stephens Pieri
The collective amnesia that people seem to have around politics in New Canaan is patently absurd. Were they not living here in 2021, when Ms. Toal called New Canaan a red town in a blue state, and said that we had to stop the blue from bleeding in? Or when a letter to the editor accused a longtime volunteer of being anti-semitic? (We know who was behind that, by the way.) Or when I have been called an anti-white Marxist who should be wiped out? Or when on these very threads Democrats have been accused of wanting to provide pornography to kids? *That* is libelous. Pointing out someone’s attendance record at meetings is not. Seriously, the victimhood narrative from those who are members of the controlling party here who have also engaged in some marketedly terrible behavior is mind-boggling. Spare me the pearl clutching, and let Ms. Toal answer the question she’s been trying to avoid — what does she mean by “parental rights” and who gets to decide which parents get input on curriculum?
Hilary politics suck — it’s why some of
Us want to judge people instead of party
This bit about being late may be your
Party’s talking points but speaking with
Julie has me thinking she the right person for the Job as speaking with
You made me come to the same conclusion
I want to see all incumbents win
With some new faces add to the mix
The problem with the BOE they
Have no leadership
It’s been for over 10+ yrs
Hugo for some reason tell everyone
In his Q&A the schools haven’t been
Updated in 50 yrs — they added 30,000 sf
In 1997 That’s 28 yrs not 50
Does he not know the history of the
Schools he runs or is it misleading
Every day I find more disturbing things
About what goes on
At this point I think if both sides
Want to attack each other it’s not
What I want to see
There’s plenty of good things both sides
Can share and plenty of bad stuff
The BOE can share
One for example a billion dollars of superintendents budge submitted and
Not one dollar could they find to cut
Not one dollar
In Darien the superintendent budge
Is submitted and cut every yr and then it goes to the BOF for more cut
Then again to there next board
People on the BOE have told me the fiscal side is a mess
And you know what not one Republican
Or Democratic has ever said so in public
So keep on throwing stones at each
Other — it’s not productive
Debate is
Matt Campbell’s instructions to Republicans to only vote for Julie Toal is indicative of the chaos and infighting going on within the entire New Canaan Republican Party. If they can’t even govern their own ranks, why trust them to manage our schools and our tax dollars?
We all saw the cracks when Matt Campbell led the charge to replace Hugo as chair in 2024 on the Board of Education’s executive committee.
As our DTC chair has said, our numbers are solid — and I’ll always stand by the principle that the bare minimum for any elected official is to show up and do the job.
Once she starts showing up on time, I welcome Ms. Toal and her buddy Matt Campbell to explain what they mean by “parents rights” and how they plan to diminish the influence of our high-caliber and PhD-holding administration.
Political discourse in New Canaan did not hit an all time low this past week. It’s been cruising at a dangerous altitude for years. In October 2023, Julie Toal, members of the RTC, and fellow New Canaan moms and dads repeatedly attacked me online and in print over a period of 25 days. For those who missed it, I was Democratic challenger for a BOE seat in 2023. The aforementioned New Canaanites would stop at nothing to ruin my reputation, endanger my family and me by launching horrendous accusations and sharing them as widely as possible as quickly as possible. The difference was that the accusations had nothing to do with my record of service to this town – instead Julie and her buddies alleged that I was an anti-semite after I shared a positive video about coaching my 1st grade softball team – a team which included Julie’s child. After Julie had successfully posted the attacks on me using various friends and contacts – in The Sentinel, on the RTC social media, and in a private Facebook group of New Canaan Jewish people – she celebrated the attacks in a group text message with her fellow Republican BOE members and candidates. They laughed and joked about it – these are people I had volunteered with, coached with, people whose children I had coached and taught – they enjoyed this, they celebrated it, they laughed about it.
What happened to me is but one example of the town’s political discourse hitting an all time low. I know of two additional attacks, in 2021 and 2025 respectively, both times against Democrats (candidates and an elected official), both times anonymous letters dropped at night alleging that these individuals were dangerous people despite their decades of positive and important service to this town.
If you, your kids or someone you know and love has been personally targeted by Julie Toal, come sit by me. You’re in good company.
Integrity, humility, accountability – these are what I expect of myself, my husband, and my children. It’s what we should all expect of our elected officials. A very belated and genuine thank you to those who stood by me when many in our town delighted in a coordinated campaign against my character and not my record of service.
Lauren I have never been so appalled by the lows to which people sink as when you were aggressively and falsely attacked by your opponent in the last BOE election in 2023. I have been remiss to get involved in election politics this year primarily because I lost faith in the system when you were so egregiously attacked. Unlike anyone I have ever met, you give everything to the town of New Canaan and ALL of its residents. New Canaan lost a chance to have the best of the best in town government when you were maliciously slandered by your opposition. I believe your pure desire to collaborate, be fair, work hard, play hard, and give selflessly was so intimidating to others that they hit an all time low in publicly calling you anti-Semitic. And, just to be clear, the basis of this accusation was the fact that you posted an inspirational morning message expressing your excitement to volunteer with our town’s youth at 8 AM on the morning of the original attack on Gaza – before you had watched the news or knew what happened that day. Those that were intimidated by your brilliance, joy, and dedication to volunteer work saw an opportunity to make a ludicrous accusation based on the timing of your encouraging post. I’m so sorry this happened to you.
I worry that in a town Trump has never won, we will sleepwalk into a MAGA Board of Education and an upending of what makes our schools great, because everyone is afraid to criticize flawed Republican candidates.
Scott, I was in DTC HQ when you came in and told me and the handful of other volunteers who happened to be there that we are disgusting and should be ashamed of ourselves. I was stunned at the vitriol over a factual critique of Toal’s record. After you left, I tallied the data for myself and in the past year Julie Toal has been late or absent for 40% of regular meetings. She is at 50% if you include special meetings and workshops, which, as you probably know, are often budget-related and thus important. No one had to go digging for this information. Toal is late or missing so frequently that it stands out to anyone who regularly attends Board meetings or watches the videos. I’m sure her colleagues from both parties on the Board find it annoying and unprofessional. It’s possible that some voters, like yourself apparently, won’t think it’s important, but it’s certainly not “disgusting” or “shameful” to point it out during an election.
Separately, I agree that pre-2021, the Board of Education was apolitical. But that was before the election of 2021 when Toal and 3 other far-right Republicans primaried and ousted all 4 of the experienced and capable Republican incumbents. Toal’s caucus speech is largely reproduced in the New Canaanite and I would urge you to read it to see precisely when the BOE became political. I voted for many R BOE candidates in the past but I was so alarmed by those caucus speeches that I decided to run for BOE myself in 2021. During that campaign, I was called a communist, a marxist, an indoctrinator of children, amongst other things, by members of the RTC and others, including by Matt Campbell who was later elected to the BOE himself. In fact, his LTE here just above yours is a great example of the kind of rhetoric regularly used by a particular faction of Republicans in town whenever they are challenged or criticized.
As for the MAGA accusations, I am glad to hear you disavow at least part of it. But the then-Chair of the RTC and Julie Toal, amongst probably other RTC members, attended Trump’s nomination in Milwaukee. I don’t think there’s any secret about Toal’s politics. Please read Lauren Nussbaum’s comment above and ask around about Toal. You might reconsider who “represents the worst of the politics today” and come to agree that Toal is not the best candidate for the job.
Scott, I hope we can meet again someday in less fraught circumstances.
Lauren, you conveniently forget to go back two more years. In 2021, you and your buddies on the DTC – of which you were a member – sent a mailer to every household in New Canaan with a photo of Row B next to a burning capitol. The DTC Chair at the time even posted dangerous rhetoric labeling Row B as QAnon. Spare everyone the “victimhood”. The RTC Chair issued a public apology to you, but let’s be honest, it was your side that started this in 2021. Still waiting on apologies, though I won’t be holding my breath.
I’d like to correct the narrative, because accuracy matters if we truly want to elevate political discourse in New Canaan.
There was no “attack.” The comment made at the time was:
“I would like to ask how you can be in an awesome mood on Saturday morning given there was an unprecedented horrible attack on Israel… Little kids kidnapped and shot in front of their siblings and taken hostage to Gaza. Was this something you didn’t know about or did it not concern you? Do you stand with Israel? Why no mention of this?”
This was not harassment — it was a sincere, emotional, and respectful question from a community member processing shock and grief after October 7th.
The letter published in 2023 framed this as: “Why so indifferent or unaware to such a serious assault on human rights?” That framing misrepresents what happened and incorrectly paints a heartfelt question as an “attack.”
What remains painful to this day for some of us in the Jewish community is not that the question was asked, but that it was never a
Please explain to me how a Republican administration and the New Canaan Republican Town Committee allowed a blatantly partisan event, the Charlie Kirk Vigil, to be held on Town property (specifically the lawn of Town Hall) on September 20. I mourn all victims of senseless gun violence, and am deeply saddened by his murder and the loss his wife and children must endure. That said, there was not a similar vigil for other recent victims of politically motivated gun violence. We must ask ourselves what made Mr. Kirk’s murder more sad than that of others, and why the choice was made to memorialize him here using taxpayer resources provided by citizens of all political stripes. I’ll wait. Then, please explain to me how this type of behavior represents the best interests of New Canaan and its residents. Please consider this decision made on your behalf by the Republican administration of our town when making your vote.
I regret that members of the Board of Education and their followers have chosen to bicker publicly among themselves. Please remember that members of the Board of Education are elected to ensure the quality and affordability of our schools, our teachers and our children.