NewCanaanite.com received the following letters ahead of the Republican Caucus, to be held Tuesday. We will not receive or publish further letters before the Caucus.
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I encourage all registered Republicans in town to attend our caucus next Tuesday evening at Saxe. Five Republicans are running for four available slots on the ballot. I will be voting for Arvind Bajaj, Scott Gress, Paula Levin and Penny Young. Penny’s decades of distinguished service on the Town Council have produced a list of accomplishments, too long to list here. Scott has been a tireless voice for the good of our community, well, for his entire life. I don’t personally know Arvind and Paula as well as I know Penny and Scott, but in discussing their character and work in town with my friends that do, I am excited about the possibility of having them serve on Town Council.
William Walbert
Former Chairman of the Town Council
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To the Editor:
In every election, we’re asked to choose leaders who reflect our community’s values and who will act in its best interest. As a longtime advocate for older adults and their families, I believe it’s time we acknowledge a simple truth—our seniors deserve a stronger voice in the decisions that shape our future.
Today, over 17% of our town’s population is now over the age of 65, a proportion that continues to grow. They built the foundation we stand upon, the schools we take pride in, the emergency services we rely on, and the healthcare infrastructure that supports us all. Their values—resilience, service, sacrifice—have long anchored this community.
Penny Young has served with distinction on not only the town council, but in support of the town’s Health and Human Services Commission and its charter. The health and safety of our community has always been Penny’s lifelong mission. We need leaders who bring institutional knowledge, measured judgment, and a steady hand.
Unfortunately, public discourse has become increasingly polarized, with too much attention on personal attacks and too little on policy, integrity, and experience. But if we look beyond the noise, we will find candidates who have quietly and consistently devoted themselves to volunteering, caregiving, healthcare, education, and civic life.
Leadership should be about wisdom, perspective, and commitment to the common good. Penny Young brings those qualities in abundance.
I encourage my neighbors to look closely at every candidate—at their record, their values, and the depth of their experience. Let’s not allow baseless rhetoric to distract us from what truly matters. Our community deserves thoughtful leadership, and Penny Young is the right person at the right time to continue to serve our community.
Sincerely,
Russell Barksdale, Jr.
a New Canaan resident
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As a former member of the Town Council, I want to encourage all Republicans to vote for both Penny Young and Pavla Levin. Having worked closely with both in various town positions, I feel obligated to make my opinion known. I sat next to Penny for 4 years on the Town Council. Penny has the ability to use her exceptionally long history of accomplishment as a Councilor to address the issues of today. Pavla and I worked together on the Utility Commission. Upon joining the Commission, she immediately took a leadership role in leveraging the cell phone coverage data that we collected into meaningful action. Her programming has made it accessible by our residents and will be the basis for discussions on increased investment in New Canaan by the cell phone service providers. It would be a mistake to not put both Pavla and Penny on the ballot.
Richard Townsend
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Editor,
I am writing to offer my endorsement for Kim Norton for re-election to the New Canaan Town Council. As a resident of New Canaan, and one who has previously worked closely with Ms. Norton, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the dedication that Ms. Norton exemplifies. Her commitment to understanding the issues, responsive leadership, and collaborative problem-solving has made a lasting impact on our town.
Ms. Norton’s approach to governance—balancing fiscal responsibility with the need for continued investment in our schools, infrastructure, and public spaces—has benefitted our community. Over the course of her tenure, she has demonstrated an unwavering devotion to enhancing the quality of life for all residents and exemplified what it means to serve with thoughtfulness, vision and heart. Her diligence towards the interests of our community and her desire to question, reach out, listen and understand all aspects of every issue has been evident.
Throughout her service, she has worked to celebrate and maintain our town’s unique natural and built environment while taking into consideration budget constraints and has shown an ability to deliver results. Ms. Norton’s vision for New Canaan is both forward-thinking and rooted in the values that make our town unique.
It is with confidence that I endorse Kim Norton for the Town Council, certain that she possesses the dedication, experience, compassion, and determination required to serve.
Sincerely,
Rose Scott Rothbart