NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter(s) of endorsement. We will publish endorsement letters from New Canaan residents through Oct. 24. Please send them to editor@newcanaanite.com.
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To the Editor –
I am writing in support of our entire Republican slate in the November elections, particularly Dionna Carlson for First Selectman and Steve Karl for Selectman.
Dionna Carlson has a strong track record of bipartisanship leadership. She served for two 4-year terms on the Board of Education and was selected to serve as Chair by her colleagues. In her role as Chair, she oversaw the school budget which comprises 70% of the town’s budget. She was a member of the Contracts Negotiation Team for 2 teachers’ union contracts as well as a bus contract. She was part of the Search Committee that put in place the current leadership of the New Canaan Public Schools. She testified against school regionalization in Hartford. During her tenure on the Board of Education, Dionna showed a commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility and maintaining local control.
Steve Karl has served on the Town Council for four 4-year terms and currently serves as the Chair, a role that he was selected for by his colleagues. During his tenure on Town Council, Steve has served on every Town Council committee. Steve has led the way in promoting transparency and fiscal responsibility by helping to establish (or re-establish) the Audit Committee, Ethics Board, Utilities Commission, and Affordable Housing Committee.
New Canaan has been well served by Republican leadership for generations. Although Dionna and Steve offer a change in tone and approach, they want to build on the hallmarks of Republican leadership in New Canaan:
- Locally driven solutions
- Low taxes and fiscal responsibility
- Improved infrastructure focused on sustainability
- Nationally ranked schools
Dionna and Steve will provide the experience and leadership that we need for continued success.
Vote Row B on Election Day!
Regards,
Chris Wilson
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Dear Editor:
On November 7, New Canaan voters have the opportunity to restore to our Board of Education the necessary balance, thoughtfulness, and laser focus on the issues that most impact our schools. The way to do this is simple, but critical: vote for—and only for—incumbent Brendan Hayes and Lauren Connolly Nussbaum to the four-year seats and Josh Kaye for the two-year seat.
Voting for only these three (even though you can technically vote for up to five candidates) will maximize the chance that they win their seats. In other words, every vote for another candidate essentially “cancels” out the vote for one of these three. If you are committed to electing these three exemplary candidates, vote only for them.
Above all, Brendan, Lauren, and Josh are the most qualified candidates. Brendan has been the BOE for eight years, serving as both Chairman and Vice Chairman during his tenure. A dedicated parent of three, he has balanced fatherhood with a successful finance career while also volunteering significant time to our schools. Among his many strengths, Brendan has an unparalleled understanding of the BOE’s massive budget, and, critically, is masterful at explaining it to those who don’t have the same depth of knowledge. (No one gets or explains the BOE health insurance fund as correctly and succinctly as Brendan.) It is so important that he is re-elected.
Lauren was made for this role. If you have or had a child at New Canaan Community Preschool, South Elementary or Saxe, or played rec softball, soccer, or basketball at the Y, or has special needs, or performed in NEAD’s annual Nutcracker; or if you were in Young Women’s League or Newcomers, or participated in the National Charity League or the effort to “Renovate the Dome” at NCHS; or you attend church at St. Aloysius—then you know Lauren. And as you know, in a town full of dedicated volunteers, Lauren is one of the most selfless and considerate. She will bring the same energy and commitment to the BOE, having the best interests of all students top of mind.
Josh grew up in neighboring Wilton and knows the value of excellent schools. A graduate of Wesleyan University and Duke University Law School, Josh moved to New Canaan with his wife and two young kids during the pandemic and immediately began volunteering, now sitting on the town’s Ethics Board. Josh will bring his experience as a litigator at a prestigious NYC law firm to bear as a member of the BOE, where educating yourself on the various sides of an issue is of tantamount importance.
Simply put, Brendan, Lauren, and Josh are the very best candidates to further strengthen our schools, challenge them to propel our students to their highest potentials, and protect them from the noise outside New Canaan. They will focus not on solutions in search of problems, but rather solve for the very real issues facing our students and schools in a collaborative and proactive manner.
I know who I will be voting for—and only for—on November 7 for the BOE: Brendan Hayes, Lauren Connolly Nussbaum, and Josh Kaye. I urge you to do the same.
Hilary Ormond
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To the Editor,
Once again, election season is upon us!
Residents scramble to write letters endorsing candidates. Some enjoy phone-banking, while others prefer door-knocking with their favorite candidates in the brisk New England weather. Soon, properties will be covered with colorful political lawn signs, steadily increasing in numbers, as November 7th approaches.
As an under-30 voter, who is very engaged in our community, I find election time to be one of reflection. What critical issues are we facing, and how do we resolve them? Which candidates can best serve us, and what are each candidate’s qualifications for the office they seek?
We have all heard the adages, “elections have consequences”, that elections are not “popularity contests” and, most importantly, that each vote counts.
For my part, I listen to podcast interviews, and I will continue to read endorsement letters and articles. I look forward to reading about each candidate in the non-partisan League of Women Voters New Canaan Voters’ Guide, which will be mailed to every household in New Canaan. The group will provide additional candidate information, in an expanded version, on the League of Women Voters Voter Information website. Finally, I plan to watch their Candidates Forum in October, and I encourage my fellow New Canaan voters to do so.
I had the opportunity to meet Lauren Connolly Nussbaum, a BOE candidate, whose podcast and interview piqued my interest. As we talked, I found that we shared the same spirit of public service. Like myself, Lauren grew up in a family that placed a premium on giving back to the community.
I was impressed by the collaborative mindset that Lauren plans to bring to the BOE. To realize her vision for the school system, she understands that BOE members must work together to find common ground, even when disagreements arise. By attending all BOE meetings and participating through public comment, Lauren understands the issues facing the BOE. Although I don’t attend BOE meetings, I do attend town meetings and community coffees, so I understand the importance of engagement with Town commissions and other bodies.
Lauren is well-qualified to serve our students, teachers, parents, and administrators in an intelligent and compassionate way and with unwavering commitment.
Clearly, Lauren deserves a seat on the BOE table!
Jordan L. Cerbone
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Dear Editor,
I am writing in support of Matt Campbell, Lara Kelly, and Matt Wexler for election, and Hugo Alves for re-election, to the New Canaan Board of Education.
As I can attest from my tenure on the board, the BOE is entrusted with a significant amount of decision-making authority. We are asked to make decisions on a host of topics—both large and small—that will have far-reaching implications for the children in the district, not only in the short term, but for many years to come. As such, it is imperative that we elect people to the board whom we believe will take that responsibility seriously, take a well-researched and evidence-based approach, and give equal weight to the viewpoints of all stakeholders, even—and perhaps most importantly—when those viewpoints differ from their own. I know that Matt, Lara, Matt and Hugo will be excellent stewards in this regard.
Most of the decisions we have made as a board over the past two years have been fairly straightforward, such as increasing pay for substitute teachers during COVID, leaving very little room for disagreement. A few of the decisions were more complex and lacked an obvious answer. These decisions, like school start times, required more effort and creativity in order to arrive at the best possible solution. Finally, there have been a small subset of decisions where we, as a board, had to commit to doing what was best for New Canaan kids, even when we knew that the decision would be viewed by some as unpopular or perhaps even controversial. These are the hardest decisions, and I know that Matt, Lara, Matt and Hugo have what it takes to excel in these moments. In my view, this is what really sets them apart from the other candidates. They have all demonstrated that they are not afraid to dig deep and stand their ground, even if means they have to take a personal hit (or two). I saw them do this during the pandemic, when masking had gone on for far too long and our kids were suffering the consequences. They never wavered in their commitment to what was best for their children and I know they will bring that same passion, energy and devotion when advocating on behalf of your children.
Importantly, Matt, Lara, Matt and Hugo all bring different experiences and perspectives to the table and collectively they understand where the parents of New Canaan are coming from. They have children at all levels within our school system, from pre-K to high school. They have children who thrive academically and children who have learning differences and need additional support. They have children who participate in athletics, in the arts, in clubs, extracurriculars and community service. Your concerns are their concerns. They are personally invested in ensuring that all of the children in our district will receive the highest quality education that will prepare them to lead successful and fulfilling lives. The work that the BOE does now will lay the groundwork for years to come, and Matt, Lara, Matt and Hugo will remain fiercely committed to this goal above all else. Our children and our school system will benefit greatly from their support and advocacy and I hope you will join me in voting for them in November.
Julie Toal
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Editor, NewCanaanite:
We endorse Amy Murphy Carroll for First Selectman. New Canaan needs a strong financial manager with a history of volunteer leadership who is committed to transparency and involving all in New Canaan, regardless of party.
Amy has been a member of the Board of Finance for 10 years (appointed by our previous Republican 1stSelectman), serving on numerous committees including the Saxe and Police Department Building Committees, the Pension Committee, and as the Co-author of the Building Study and the BOF Debt Guidelines. She has a 30-year career in municipal finance covering all areas of debt and project finance, and has a strong reputation of fiscal discipline.
Most importantly, Amy wants to restore trust and civility in Town government. Her friendships cross parties, and she has proven she can work with all sides, always respecting the taxpayer. She will ensure that Town boards and committees include the best people for the role; she knows that good ideas and talent have no party affiliation.
On November 7th, please vote for Any Murphy Carroll for First Selectman.
Toddy Turrentine (Democrat) and Tom Turrentine (Unaffiliated)