I am a 30+ year resident of New Canaan and have been reading with interest the opinion letters supporting Dionna Carlson and Amy Murphy Carroll for First Selectman. Many of these endorsements are extremely well argued highlighting important pillars of each campaign. However, I am always curious as to the civic backgrounds of these letter writers, so I will share with you up front that I am a registered Republican who is fiscally conservative, socially moderate, and have voted locally for candidates from both parties in the past. Therefore, I am very excited this year about our two candidates for first selectmen. Both women are extremely intelligent, possess strong financial backgrounds, have significant local government expertise, and both have been emphasizing (thankfully!) the importance of restoring governmental transparency, reducing political polarization, and promoting bipartisanship. If you read their ads and listen to their speeches, these women also have similar views on many of the important issues facing our town including cell tower service, affordable housing and maintaining our high-quality school system.
So how does one decide which candidate to support?
As a resident in a town which is roughly divided 37% Republican, 35% Unaffiliated and 27% Democrat, I believe building community engagement is crucial. Irrespective of whoever ends up with the highest vote count in November, both candidates along with Steve Karl, will constitute our Board of Selectmen. However, only one will lead the committee and lead our local government. For me, that four letter word, LEAD, is the primary differentiator between Carlson and Carroll and the reason that I will be supporting Dionna Carlson in November. While both Carlson and Carroll have been instrumental members of numerous local committees, Carlson is the only one with proven leadership experience and demonstrated ability to unite team members. She was elected chair of the Board of Education three times with both Republicans and Democrats recognizing her leadership capabilities. She is Senior Deacon in her church, voted in by parishioners representing all aspects of our New Canaan community. Other leadership positions currently held by Carlson include Vice-Chair for the Hannah Benedict Carter Chapter of the DAR and President of Chi Omega House Corporation at Sacred Heart. Dionna Carlson is a strong team builder who is responsive and leads with grace. When you speak to her, Dionna is always mentally present, listening to you, seeking your views and opinions, regardless of your political party affiliation. She comes to meetings ready to listen, eager to explore differing proposals. She truly values input from all New Canaan constituents. If you have not met her already, I urge you to attend one of her Open House Coffees at 112 Main St. on Mondays from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Dionna has a personality that is positive and embracing, she also has a strong work ethic that values the importance of teamwork, and these qualities, combined with her love of New Canaan, will make her a very effective and respected First Selectman.
Respectfully,
Tracey M. Hamill
