NewCanaanite.com received the following letters to the editor regarding endorsements for the GOP caucus.
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Dear New Canaanite Editor:
Anna Krolikowski, a lifetime resident of New Canaan, CT, is overwhelmingly qualified to be the town clerk of New Canaan.
We have known Anna Krolikowski both personally and professionally for the nearly 20 years we lived in New Canaan. Anna is intimately familiar with New Canaan, its residents, administrators and how to get things done. Her outstanding character, integrity, 24/7 work ethic, personal accountability and willingness to get things done make her uniquely qualified to execute the role of town clerk and address the 21st Century challenges facing local governments.
As a result of the above, Anna Krolikowski is uniquely qualified for the role of New Canaan town clerk and we wholeheartedly endorse her candidacy.
Steve & Jennifer Czech
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To the Editor:
New Canaan is fortunate that our town clerk, Claudia Weber, has committed herself to running for reelection for another term.
Her diplomatic, cheerful, helpful approach to every problem brought to her office in conjunction with her vast knowledge of where to quickly and accurately access any pertinent information that will assist in resolving an issue has been of inestimable value to anyone who has ever needed the assistance of the office.
Her attention to the least obvious detail, her meticulous adherence to compliance with local, state, and federal regulations pertinent to all facets of her responsibilities has earned her the recognition and respect of Republicans and Democrats alike as well as amongst her fellow registrars. Raised in New Canaan, Claudia returned from a career in Washington after receiving a bachelor’s degree in political science from George Washington University as well as obtaining a wealth of practical experience from years spent during the Reagan/Bush Administration as confidential assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and as a staff member to U.S. Senator Paula Hawkins of Florida.
In New Canaan she has served as assistant clerk of the Probate Court for eight years, the elected Republican registrar of voters for three years, and now 23 years as the elected town clerk with an unblemished record of accurate service.
In sum, Claudia Weber is an educated, experienced, competent and caring town clerk who deserves our support. It is a pleasure to work with her and an honor to recommend her to the voters of New Canaan for their support.
E. Irene Barrack
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I am writing in support of Anna Krolikowski for New Canaan town clerk. Most people know Anna as the owner of Baskin Robbins where she happily greeted customers, served ice cream at town events and employed our youth for 28 years. The qualities needed to run a successful business such as fiscal responsibility and customer service are exactly why Anna will be the best town clerk New Canaan has ever seen. What you may not know about Anna is that she is a treasure trove of New Canaan information. Over the last 25 years Anna has become my go to person for amazing referrals. This database of information about New Canaan will be useful as town clerk. Another thing you may not know about Anna is that she is fiercely loyal to her people, which includes all of New Canaan. If elected, I am positive that Anna will advocate for each and every one of us as if we are her family because by voting for her, you become her family. When Anna told me about her plan to run for town clerk, I asked her why she was running right after retiring. She smiled and said that she missed serving the people of New Canaan. Right then, I knew she had my vote and I hope she has yours too.
Barbara Davis
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I am endorsing Tom Butterworth and Penny Young as two of the four Republican candidates for Town Council. The Town Council improves with members who offer a thoughtful approach and significant experience with the council, town, and state government. I think that the reelection of both Tom and Penny is key to providing these perspectives.
Tom throughout his first term on the Town Council proved his willingness to devote significant time to study and understand the issues facing the town. He then leveraged that knowledge by frequently taking a key role in the public discussion of each motion brought before the Town Council. `
A very unique resource, Penny is the longest serving member of the Town Council. Unlike any other candidate, Penny has spent a significant part of her adult life participating in and leading the political process from the state level down to our local level. This includes but is not limited to: Town Council, League of Women Voters, and the Yankee Institute. She uses this extensive experience as a frame of reference for the Town Council to ensure that we address the council’s entire set of responsibilities as well as to avoid repeating past mistakes. We are lucky that Penny is willing to continue to serve.
Town Council benefits from a broad demographic representation. Tom and Penny will provide the foundation of just such a strong slate.
Rich Townsend
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Dear Editor,
Anna Krolikowski will make an excellent Town Clerk for New Canaan. As a former employee of Baskin Robbins, I saw firsthand her skill at managing the complexities of small business, which she did for over 30 years in New Canaan. She is fair with both customers and employees, has an exceptional work ethic, an ability to create practical solutions, and most of all brings integrity in each of her interactions while striving to deliver the highest levels of customer service. Her ability to work collaboratively with other businesses and organizations will be an additional asset as the town clerk role must work across town departments and political parties. These skills combined with her ability to learn and adapt will make her an excellent choice for town clerk of New Canaan.
Best Regards,
Andrew Gibbens
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I am very pleased that Tom Butterworth is running for a second term on Town Council. Tom has served New Canaan admirably over the last four years and will surely do so for the next four. Our excellent school system is an enormous asset for New Canaan. As the liaison to the Board of Education, Tom has a deep understanding of the issues affecting that system. He has been a huge advocate for the schools, including for the funds we must allocate to maintain the high quality we all demand of that system. After retiring from Hewitt Associates (where I worked with him for some 20 years), he also worked in financial planning, adding those skills to his portfolio. He is a person who has always worked effectively with others. He listens well.
Tom’s background as an attorney enables him to think carefully through the issues that we face. That background also serves well for such tasks as the drafting of ordinances. His local non-political activities including New Canaan Chamber Music, Rotary, and Town Players have given him great exposure to the fabric of our community. He also knows the local scene well from 30 some years of residence These activities have allowed him to connect with many people and to understand the various needs and problems we face. He is always thinking about how to make things better for New Canaan.
I believe Tom will continue to be an excellent Town Council member and I urge you to vote for him at the Republican Caucus.
Dave Hunt
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Education is the biggest and most important role for local government. Historically, local boards of education govern public education. It makes sense for something this important to be handled locally where communities can best act on their priorities. The intent for this arrangement was for these boards to make policies – setting goals, planning a budget, and selecting the superintendent. They were to be bridges between the community and government, but as community representatives overseeing an unelected, unionized administration. The BoE would work on behalf of their peers and get the government to go along with their town’s priorities.
The community’s interests and the government’s interests sometimes align and sometimes don’t. Parents and taxpayers are busy elsewhere with their own lives but the government can concentrate on its own institutional interests. Many of these interests are wholly benign; others aren’t. Great teachers change lives and many were heroic this past year. But government bureaucracy is also expert at growing itself – with our town’s expenses growing faster than inflation, than the population, and faster than other Connecticut towns over the past decade. Much of it never makes it to the classroom.
Things change. The tendency is for boards of education to switch teams – to work on behalf of the administration and then get the community to go along with the administration’s priorities. This gets to the point where there is zero distinction on substantive matters between the professional government and BoE. The BoE becomes in essence a public relations function for that professional government, often citing their professional status as the rational for unlimited deference. They tell parents and taxpayers what they’ll pay and what they’ll get, but in the end the government always wins. BoEs can become unaccountable. What then is the point?
When the stakes are low and the pressures from national and state issues are light, this distinction might not matter too much. But today, stakes are high and pressure on New Canaan is mounting. How do we react to expensive state mandates now that they are essentially unfunded? Do we teach academics or give in to trendy political fads and indoctrination? Should kids be masked in the fall? Is there any limit to what taxpayers should and will pay? If families want a voice on such matters, we will have to rebuild a BoE around the original intent of local school control. And to transition from PR committee to a policy making one, the BoE will require new leaders.
It may seem like a new model, but it is actually an old one. An accountable board would treat the families it serves as the constituents and represent them to the government. They would be responsive to their constituents’ concerns and priorities first. They would make decisions with transparency. They would act independently from the strong institutional pressures common in government. Fortunately, we have terrific local engagement and new leaders prepared to offer some real diversity of ideas. They strengthen the bridge between our community and our school system by adding accountability, transparency, and independence.
Who are they? Hugo Alves, Dan Bennett, Phil Hogan, and Julie Toal are four engaged New Canaan parents volunteering for the BoE. They are working together as a team focused on academic excellence and standing for election at the Republican Caucus. Accountable, transparent, independent oversight doesn’t risk disrupting what is already working. They are happy to be cheerleaders when that is what’s called for. But they are just as happy to ask tough questions and to stand up for families and taxpayers when that is what’s needed. New Canaan schools are worth protecting. The best way to protect them is by electing Hugo, Dan, Phil, and Julie on July 20th.
Chris DeMuth Jr.
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Anna Krolikowski will make an outstanding Town Clerk. If the customer service, character and commitment to our community demonstrated by Anna over the years is an indication of what she can bring to this office, then we are all in for a pleasant treat. Anna has earned our full support.
Mike and Sarah Handler
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Dear Editor,
Most folks know that Penny brings over 20 years of municipal experience, insight and local history to the Town Council. What folks may not be familiar with is Penny’s attention to detail, endless engagement with the public and grace under pressure performance.
For better or worse, town issues have a tendency to recirculate over the years. It grounded all of us whenever Penny would pull out a file from yesteryear to provide much needed historical background or to clarify or correct a pertinent fact during one of our Town Council meetings. For many years, Penny has served as the faithful recorder of Town Council meetings as well as League of Women Voters meetings. Never missing a beat. Her skill as our local historian-at-large is exemplary and inspiring.
Penny also welcomes interaction with the public. You can always catch a moment of her time before or after a Town Council meeting. Her passion to serve our general public remains strong and is evident if you’ve ever had the chance to see her in action at a newspaper coffee or sidewalk booth.
Especially admirable is Penny’s ability to perform in challenging situations. As you may guess, tensions can periodically run high when dealing with town politics. Regardless of the topic, Penny is always able to perform gracefully under pressure. She is exactly the kind of leader we need during these times. Please join me in voting for Penny at the Republican caucus on July 20th.
Sincerely,
Christa Kenin
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Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for Katrina Parkhill, Jennifer Richardson, Jessica Huetter and Patrick O’Connell for the New Canaan Board of Education.
I served with Katrina and Jen for the past two years on the BOE and know firsthand of their dedication and commitment to the children and families of New Canaan. Both hold leadership positions on the Board that, together with Dr. Luizzi and his Administration, helped successfully and safely steer our schools through the COVID-19 crisis. In the process, they helped ensure that our district did what very few districts in the country did: stay open and educate children safely.
As Chair and Secretary of the Board, respectively, Katrina and Jen know how to work effectively with the Administration and other Town bodies to ensure our outstanding school system continues to improve while remaining fiscally responsible.
Jess and Pat, like Katrina and Jen, have been leaders in the community in a variety of roles for many years. They would bring a wealth of leadership experience and expertise to the Board, as well as a desire to keep our district at the forefront of educational practice while balancing the social-emotional needs of our children. All four candidates have children in the school system at various levels, providing institutional knowledge that will help inform discussions and decisions that come before the Board.
Most importantly, they know that the success of New Canaan Public Schools is due to the hard work and commitment of teachers, administrators, volunteers and, of course, students, and that they must continue to value and build on those relationships.
Our schools are our town’s most valuable resource. Please join me in voting for Katrina, Jennifer, Jess and Pat for the Board of Education at the Republican Caucus on Tuesday, July 20.
Sincerely,
Julie Mackle Reeves
New Canaan Board of Education 2019-2021
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We write to express our enthusiastic support for Tom Butterworth for re-election to Town Council.
We have three children in the public school system, and, like many, our family moved to New Canaan for the excellence of our schools. Tom has spent the past four years on Town Council strongly advocating for our schools and supporting the work of our Superintendent. There is no other candidate with a better track record supporting New Canaan Public Schools than Tom Butterworth.
Tom is exactly the kind of person we need working on behalf of all of us in New Canaan. He combines intelligence, integrity and common sense with a thoughtful ability to work with all members of our community. In addition to his work on the Board of Education committee, Tom also serves on the Town Council Committees for Health & Human Services, Infrastructure & Utilities/Public Works and Bylaws & Ordinances. There are many decisions facing our community in the next four years; we cannot think of a better candidate with the right experience to lead us forward.
Please join us in voting for Tom Butterworth for Town Council on July 20.
Best regards,
Anne and Karl Schimmeck
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We are writing to express our support for Tom Butterworth for re-election to New Canaan’s Town Council.
We have had the pleasure of working with Tom both through his role on Town Council and as the liaison to the Board of Education. Tom has consistently demonstrated his ability to incorporate logic, fairness and intellectual consideration to the constantly evolving issues and decisions being made on behalf of New Canaan students. Not only has Tom spent the past four years advocating for our schools and supporting the work of our Superintendent, he is also incredibly active within New Canaan’s social and cultural scene. Tom helped create and is now the Chairman of New Canaan Chamber Music, a group that coordinates with world class musicians to bring breathtaking, intimate performances here to New Canaan. Tom and his wife Libby have been active and positive role models in New Canaan for over 30 years. No other candidate represents the heart of New Canaan like Tom Butterworth.
In addition to his experience on Town Council and on the Board of Education committee, Tom also serves on Committees for Health & Human Services, Infrastructure & Utilities/Public Works and Bylaws & Ordinances. It is always a pleasure to listen to Tom speak on public issues. His warm, thoughtful demeanor is respectful and compelling. Tom is a man with a heart of gold and the passion to constantly make New Canaan a better place.
Please join us in voting for Tom Butterworth for Town Council on July 20.
Best regards,
Heather and Rob Moore
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Letter to the Editor:
Penny Young’s commitment to community service is unparalleled. She has devoted herself to New Canaan through her involvement in town government as a member of the Town Council and numerous volunteer organizations over the last several decades and she is well-known for her hard work and dedication. She deserves another four years on the Council without question.
Each member of the Town Council serves on multiple sub-committees and Penny does so with enthusiasm. When she was asked to co-chair the committee that reviewed the Town’s valuable resources, specifically the 57 buildings that are owned by the Town, she was delighted as she had commented extensively on the lack of attention to the Town’s resources. She led the team that produced a thoroughly researched and documented report. Her committee recommended hiring engineering consultants to develop a 25-year life cycle report on the buildings. That report provided data so that annual building maintenance could be properly scheduled and allowed for long-term planning for major repairs or replacements, which allows the Town to save money as work is done in a planned fashion, as opposed to waiting until repairs are at a critical stage and end up costing the Town more to repair related damage. One committee often leads to another for Penny, who has been appointed by the First Selectman to sit on the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, where she will be part of the team that will monitor several ongoing projects like natural gas, combined heat and power, solar, and cell service. These energy efficient improvements will provide significant cost savings, which positively benefit all of New Canaan’s residents.
Please attend the Republican Caucus on Tuesday July 20th and cast a vote for Penny Young. New Canaan’s residents need Penny’s energy and efforts on the Town Council.
Sincerely,
Lisa Platt
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To the Editor:
I am pleased to write in enthusiastic support of Penny Young’s candidacy for Town Council. Penny has been an invaluable member of Town Council, an indefatigable volunteer who always steps up to take on the big projects, including serving on the town’s Charter Revision Committee, chairing the comprehensive study of the use, condition, and future utility of the 57 buildings owned by the town government, and working to provide tax relief for our senior residents. She is a careful listener when citizens come to her with a problem who then focuses her energy on finding a solution. Her patience, sound judgment, and unfailing good cheer helps to build consensus for practical solutions to the issues that arise. We are very lucky to have Penny Young as a member of our Town Council. I urge all registered Republicans to vote for Penny at the Republican Caucus on July 20.Sincerely,
James McLaughlin
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Editor:
I am writing to endorse Julie Toal for candidate for the Board of Education in the Republican Caucus on July 20th. I have personally known Julie for four years, and I know her to be smart, energetic, and enthusiastic about everything she gets involved with including this race. In addition, she is extremely thoughtful about why she is running.
Julie is a graduate of Villanova University and majored in Communications. Following college, she pursued a successful career in pharmaceutical sales but found her real calling when she became a mother.She is now busy raising her two young children and her son is about to start West School in the Fall. As a volunteer in town, she has served as the President of the Newcomers Club, has served on various committees at the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society and will be the VP of programs at West School for 2021-2022.As a parent of three children who all went through the New Canaan Public School System and myself a graduate of New Canaan High School, I am very grateful for all who are willing to volunteer for this important job.
My husband served on the Board of Ed for four years and I know firsthand the time commitments required for this important role.I spoke with Julie at great length about the hours required and I am most impressed that she wants to serve our town and its children especially with her kids just entering the school system. To her credit, she recognized that the Elementary School children and parents were not currently being represented on the BOE, so she decided to step up herself.
As a member of the BOE, Julie has promised to listen to concerns and/or suggestions from parents and students and from the teachers and administrators.She pledges to support the continuous improvement of New Canaan’s already strong core curriculum, with an increased focus on STEM as well as opportunities for student enrichment and discovery of what inspires them through athletics, the arts, and other extracurricular activities. Finally, she will also work to maintain transparency in the budgeting and spending for all taxpayers, not just the parents of students.
I enthusiastically support Julie Toal and encourage others to do so in the upcoming Republican Caucus.
Whitney LeGard Williams
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To the Editor:
I urge that we re-elect Claudia Weber as Town Clerk of New Canaan. She has 24 years of training, experienceand knowledge of both state and local rules and regulations, She is a strong asset to our town!
Claudia has also dedicated decades to to the cause of Animal Rescue.
There is no reason to replace Claudia Weber, an experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated professional. In fact, there is every reason to retain her.
John and Hope Hetherington
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Dear Editor,
The more one is involved in Town government, the more one can learn not just about the people who serve but also about their character, qualifications and what it takes to do the job. I want to share what I have learned and witnessed in the job and responsibilities of the Town Clerk. The job is complex, detailed, and entrenched in Statutes, Bills, Town Charter, legislation, and requires a multifaceted knowledge of land records, vital records, FOIA, transactions, reporting, It takes a season, experienced steadfast leader to make it look easy, but it is far from being that.
The level of experience, knowledge, and decorum that Claudia Weber has in managing all the responsibilities is impressive, the only fault is that she makes it all look easy.
Claudia Weber has been New Canaan’s Town Clerk for nearly 24 years, she served as the assistant for 15 yrs. and later the Registrar of Voters for 3 years, and was the appointed Clerk of the Probate Court 8 years. She worked in the Reagan/Bush administration, was a staff member to the US Congressman Stewart McKinney among many other distinguished positions.
Her experience and dedication lead to being selected by the CT Secretary of State to be one of the first to become a Certified Elections Moderator and to train others. She holds a Town Clerk Certification, and for 24 yrs. has supervised absentee ballot and referendums for NC, along with managing the office that this past year brought approximately $16 million to the State and Town.
Claudia Weber is professional, extremely knowledgeable, kind and dedicated to the office, and has handled the responsibilities to represent New Canaan’s the tax payers/ voters with outmost integrity. It was impressive to be among a few towns whose elections results are never put to question. It takes experience and dedication to do an exceptional job year after year, having graduated from George Washington University reinforces her qualifications, strength and dedication to the job she has so proudly held.
I support experience, knowledge and an impeccable 24+ year record that can only be regarded as exceptional, please join me in supporting the best qualified candidate for the job, Claudia Weber,
Respectfully,
Cristina A. Ross, Aia, Member of the Town Council
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I would like to endorse Claudia Weber whom I have known over 40 years. She is personable, friendly, and most of all competent. She knows the job and does it well and with a smile.
Susan Goodman
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With her lifetime commitment to public service in New Canaan, I cannot think of a more qualified person to serve as our Town Clerk than Claudia Weber.
Ms. Weber brings to the table 27 years of experience as a Chief Election Official in general elections, special elections, primaries and referenda as well as 24 years of experience administering and supervising the absentee ballot process.
In addition to reporting to many state agencies, Ms. Weber serves as an executive officer of our municipality, registrar of vital statistics, recorder of deeds, records manager, FOIA and campaign finance guide, and is issuer of permits and licenses.
Claudia gained her knowledge and experience by being our Town Clerk since 1998. She is both a leader and a team player, who treats the public with respect and compassion at all times.
I will caste my vote for Claudia on July 20th because New Canaan needs her.
Angelo A. Cerbone
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I am writing in support of Anna Krolikowski for New Canaan Town Clerk. I first met Anna as the owner of Baskin Robbins who supplied ice cream for various Toddlertime events. I admired the way Anna cared for her customers always going above and beyond to make sure I had what I needed and how meticulously she took care of both the inside and outside of her store. As a small business owner, I know that running a successful business in town for 28 years, as Anna did, takes an extraordinary amount of customer service and fiscal responsibility which are two traits that will be enormously useful as town clerk. I am also excited by Anna’s commitment to technology and to making the town’s records accessible remotely. Nothing like the past year to highlight the need to do business online. I know she will be wonderful at providing information that is impartial, friendly and helpful. If she doesn’t know the answer, she will definitely find it.
Carolyn Williams
Co-owner of Toddlertime Nursery School
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Penny Young continues to be a great asset for us on the Town Council. Penny has been a major contributor to the town for many years, both as a resident and as a member of the Council. She has worked tirelessly for New Canaan. Penny’s efforts founded the Lapham Community Center, and she still works diligently to aid both our senior citizens and the community at large. As a Town Council member, Penny proposed, and then served as a member of the Charter Revision Commission in 2015 and 2016. She was an extremely energetic and productive member, dedicated to making our town’s government the best it can be. The voters responded by passing all but one of its recommendations.
After that, she co-chaired the Building and Use Evaluation study which produced very valuable documentation of our town’s physical plant assets and the expected future maintenance needs, recognizing the ever more important need for efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
Penny’s many years of service on the Town Council enable her to provide an understanding of why we are where we are. Institutional memory and a deep understanding of our town government are very valuable assets. Penny has always been a strong proponent of financial responsibility in government, spending when we need to and not wastefully. We face many challenges in the town that need someone with knowledge, dedication, and common sense.
We are very fortunate to have had Penny’s loyal service, and for the good of New Canaan, I urge you to give her four more years.
Dave Hunt
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Dear Editor,
I am writing in support of Kimberly Norton, a Republican candidate for Town Council. Kimberly’s professional background and experience as a Forensic Psychologist who worked for the NYPD, as well as someone who supports maintaining our historic and natural landscape, a co-founder and proponent of the Student Data Privacy Act, as a BOE Representative for the high school, as a Committee Chair to our schools, as a volunteer and mother to school age kids, she is uniquely qualified to contribute and enhance the Council’s perspective and to represent our residents in a unique way. She is a High Honors graduate of Fordham University where she obtained her doctorate and was a Presidential Scholar and teaching fellow.
Kimberly Norton brings an all-around multifaceted background and a level of experience that in a post-COVID environment can give the Council further perspective and contribute to the discussions and decisions before a vote.
As a resident of New Canaan for the past 12 years she is looking at her accomplishments as a starting point and looks forward to the positive difference she can make in representing all the voters in our town.
I am impressed by her fortitude and tenacity to do and say what needs to be said. She is driven, determined, professional, composed and fearless and that is what makes her the perfect candidate for the Council. Please join me in supporting Kimberly Norton for a seat on Town Council.
Respectfully,
Cristina A. Ross, Aia, Member of Town Council
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