By Tom O’Dea
Dear New Canaan Residents,
I’ve been involved in state and local governance for about twenty years. I believe New Canaan is such an amazing community because of our fiscally conservative habits, community first mentality and prioritizing education, all of which have occurred for decades under Republican leadership.
Next Tuesday November 7 you will decide who leads our Town and the Board of Education.
For First Selectman, I am endorsing Dionna Carlson based on her past elected experience – near decade of service on the Board of Ed, including three as the bipartisan elected chair, her financial background, and her commitment to a transparent collaborative approach to governance that she has shown in elected and volunteer organizations. I have known Dionna and her wonderful family for decades and seen first-hand her collaborative approach on the Board of Ed and the many volunteer organizations she has assisted. Dionna is the right person at the right time with the necessary experience to balance the needs of our top school system while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
For the Board of Education, I am endorsing row B, Matt Campbell, Lara Kelly, Hugo Alves and Matt Wexler, all of whom have the right temperament and experience to make sure our schools maintain their top-ranking while being financially prudent.
They are outstanding parents of public-school children who will keep politics out of our educational system and make sure our administration and teachers focus on educating our students and leave parenting to parents. If you choose to vote for more than four Board of Ed candidates, I encourage you to consider Giacomo Landi. I know him best of the remaining candidates and believe he will put our kids ahead of politics.
Tom O’Dea is the State Representative for the 125th District
