Every Friday until Election Day, GOOD Morning Wilton publishes Letters to the Editor that we’ve received about the candidates and/or election-related issues. To learn more about our election coverage guidelines and policies, click here. Please note, due to an increase in the number of Letters to the Editor we are receiving, we are increasing the number of letters we publish each Friday from 10 to 12.
Hemmerle and Preston, Two Proven Leaders
To the Editor:
As a long time Wilton resident who graduated from the high school and with two children in the school system now, it is very important to me that our schools remain strong. It’s no secret that the Wilton schools are headed for another tough budget next year, with Hartford threatening even more drastic cuts in education. This year the Board of Education delivered a budget that included a zero percent increase in spending. Whether or not we can continue to provide quality education during this time of austerity will depend on the composition of the Board. That is why I’m supporting Glenn Hemmerle and Andrea Preston, two proven leaders. Glenn deserves to be reelected, and Andrea, who has served the town well on Planning & Zoning, is well-qualified for a BOE seat.
Respectfully,
Lianne Griswold Acosta-Rua
Bufano and Cole Deserve Election
To the Editor:
The Board of Selectmen faces a formidable challenge in finding ways to improve our commercial base and end the practice of raising taxes as a first resort, all while preserving Wilton’s natural charm and resources–which is why Lori Bufano and Josh Cole deserve election. Each has strong experience serving on Wilton’s land-use boards, including Josh’s current role as chair of Zoning Board of Appeals and Lori’s experience on the Planning & Zoning Commission and her current position on the BoS. In addition, each has relevant professional experience that will be essential to BoS discussions. Vote Bufano/Cole on Nov. 7!
Hella McSweeney
Why Andrea Preston has my vote for Board of Education
To the Editor:
On Nov. 7, please vote for Andrea Preston for Board of Education. I’ve known Andrea since our children, both now sophomores at Wilton High School, were in preschool together. Over the years, I’ve seen Andrea handle her professional and civic responsibilities with fierce passion and commitment. As a mother of children enrolled in this great school system, former private equity CFO and CPA, I have no doubt that Andrea will navigate the looming budget uncertainties with a fiscally responsible approach while ensuring that all children receive the best education possible.
Lillian Cooke
Wilton Needs to Elect Fiscal Conservatives, like Cole and Bufano
To the Editor:
Hartford’s insatiable tax and spending feast is moving into your kitchen. Liberal, progressive spenders have squandered historic tax increases and seek more by dumping their contract costs on our towns already burdened by some of the highest property taxes in the country. Property values continue to decline despite recent stock market gains. Now more than ever, Wilton needs fiscal conservatives in elected and appointed offices to adapt to Hartford’s challenges. I believe Josh Cole and Lori Bufano can make a difference and urge Republicans, Democrats and non-affiliated voters to unite behind them. It is time to pause Wilton’s 15 year property tax run-up!
Ed Papp
Shiue’s Passion to Protect Wilton’s Charm and Promote Responsible Development
To the Editor:
I am pleased to write in support of Peter Shiue’s campaign for reelection to the Planning & Zoning Commission. I have known Peter for many years, and can speak firsthand about his passion both for protecting Wilton’s natural charm and resources, while promoting smart, responsible development opportunities. Peter is an accomplished commercial real estate professional, with decades of experience dealing with municipal land-use issues. This experience affords him the insight and judgment that are vital to discussions about growing Wilton’s commercial tax base. Peter has done a remarkable job on P&Z, and he deserves to be reelected.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Lee
Business Backgrounds of Bufano and Cole ‘Vital to Steering’ Wilton
To the Editor:
I am pleased to support Lori Bufano and Joshua Cole in their candidacies for the Board of Selectmen. At a time when Wilton faces difficult decisions about its future, Lori and Josh offer the strong business backgrounds vital to steering us in the right direction. Lori is a current member of the Board of Selectmen with decades of experience in supply chain management. Josh is a successful real estate lawyer who understands the intricacies of land use management and commercial development. Lori and Josh are committed to fiscal responsibility, and will use their professional experience to ensure positive growth.
Prasad Iyer
Wilton Needs Andrea Preston for BOE
To the Editor:
I’m writing to express my enthusiastic support for Andrea Preston for Board of Education. Wilton is fortunate to have a candidate of her caliber and dedication. Andrea believes that important decision making must be done by people who are committed to excellent outcomes for all students, not just certain groups or individuals. Andrea is open, honest and direct and will carry those traits with her to the Board of Education. Those traits, coupled with her level-headed thinking and compassionate approach to sensitive issues, will serve as a great asset to the Board of Education.
Cindy Sinor
Shiue, Pagliaro, Poundstone Most Knowledgeable and Experienced for POCD Process
To the Editor:
This year our town will revisit its Plan of Conversation and Development, which essentially sets the blueprint for growth and development for the next 10 years. It is vital that we have the most knowledgeable and experienced people possible involved in this process,which is why I am supporting Peter Shiue, Chris Pagliaro, and Sally Poundstone for Planning and Zoning Commission. Peter and Sally are current Commission members, who deserve reelection because of their strong support for sensible development. Chris Pagliaro, an accomplished architect with a deep background in land-use issues, will be a welcome addition.
Tracy Serpa
Cole–Hard-working, Intelligent, Ethical
To the Editor:
As a Wilton resident, I am enthusiastically supporting the candidacy of Joshua Cole for Board of Selectmen. Let me tell you why.
I have known Josh professionally for about 15 years. My initial involvement with Josh was meeting him as an attorney on the other side of the table on a bond financing transaction. Over the next 10 or 11 years, we had a number of similar professional interactions and I always found Josh a pleasure to work with because he is smart, hard-working, responsive and ethical. When my firm had a chance to recruit him almost four years ago, we jumped at the chance and consider ourselves lucky indeed to have him in our firm.
I am convinced that Josh will bring to the role of selectman the same characteristics of hard work, sharp intelligence, ethics and his ability to be reasonable and work through problems in a collaborative manner. For these and other personal and professional reasons, I enthusiastically endorse the candidacy of Joshua Cole for the Board of Selectmen.
Joseph P. Carlucci
Low Brings Unique, Valuable Perspective to Board of Education
To the Editor:
I enthusiastically support Deborah Low’s candidacy for Board of Education. Having worked with her for many years, I know of no-one more qualified than she. Deborah began her 38 year career as a classroom teacher and ended it as superintendent. I witnessed Deborah’s commitment to the children in championing new initiatives such as improved early literacy and math instruction, reasonable class sizes, expanded support services, increased attention to their social and emotional needs and numerous high school courses. What a unique and valuable perspective Deb Low will bring to the Board of Education and to the children of Wilton.
Ann Scozzafava
The Skills and Judgment Wilton Needs Now
To the Editor:
I am voting for Lori Bufano and Josh Cole for the Board of Selectmen because they have the best mix of private, public and land-use experience to advance an agenda of grand-list growth and fiscal conservativism. Lori has worked for Cardinal Health and Yale New Haven Health and has served as a selectman, Planning & Zoning commissioner and Zoning Board of Appeals member. Josh is the chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals and is an accomplished commercial real estate and finance attorney. They have the skills and judgment Wilton needs right now. Please vote for Lori and Josh on November 7.
George Cross
Low Adds Reasoned Voice of Experience
To the Editor:
I urge support for Debbie Low, an exceptional and uniquely qualified candidate for the Wilton Board of Education.
Debbie will add to the Board of Education a wise, reasoned voice of experience as a professional educator and 20-year Wilton resident and parent. After working for the Wilton public schools in 1987 as Wilton High School dean of students, she served as WHS associate principal for 10 years, WHS principal for six years and assistant superintendent of the Wilton Public Schools for three years. Debbie recently retired after eight years as Ridgefield’s superintendent of schools.
Serving currently on Wilton’s Social Services Commission, she has demonstrated exceptional skills and sensitivity in evaluating issues plus an ability to work collaboratively toward creative problem-solving.
Judy Zucker