Friday August 10, 2007

Dear Fellow Republican,

Likely you have read in the media that Tom Herrmann was unanimously endorsed at the town-wide Republican bi-annual caucus on July 17 as our party's candidate for First Selectman in the November election to succeed Bill Kupinse. Tom, along with others went through a rigorous and competitive evaluation, interview and approval process conducted by your Town Committee. I have known Tom for many years and can say without reservation that he will be an outstanding First Selectman and a worthy successor to Bill.

Easton is, indeed, fortunate that Tom is willing to share his time and many talents as our chief elected official. Tom and Bill also share many of the same values - preserving the town's residential character, enhancing the quality of our educational system, ensuring that your tax dollars are efficiently spent and providing for our senior citizens. Tom moved to Easton as a single young man when he was 26 years old - some 25 years ago - and ever since, has been very active in town government and in numerous civic organizations. He truly represents the future for Easton and uniquely brings the experience, expertise and energy to address the challenges of the 21st Century.

The Easton Democrats have also endorsed their slate led by a former Selectman, Elaine Spicer, as their candidate for First Selectman. But as reported in the media, others, including two Republican-Affiliated voters - one an unsuccessful candidate in your Town Committee's interview process - are apparently considering running for First Selectman. Simply by filing "Nominating Petitions" under Section 9-453 of the Connecticut General Statues and getting just 30 signatures, their names can be placed on the ballot. This is the first time in eight years that your candidate for First Selectman is not an incumbent so perhaps an expanded field of aspiring minority candidates - at least these two, maybe more - is not entirely surprising.

As always, our party's candidates will engage in vigorous discussion and open debate with opposition candidates on important issues affecting Easton and will mount an aggressive campaign to deliver their message clearly to the voters, regardless of political party affiliation. In spite of past successes under Republican leadership, Easton still faces potential attacks by developers against our zoning regulations, is constantly challenged to operate town government more cost efficiently and needs to devise creative new ideas to keep our senior citizens right here in Easton while continuing to underwrite the fine educational and recreational programs for our children while maintaining its' valuable infrastructure.

As a unified team, your Republican Party has successfully led this Town over many years and confronted numerous challenges from within and from outside of Easton. Under Tom Herrmann's visionary and progressive leadership, supported by incumbent Selectman Scott Centrella, we will do so again. Now is the time for all Republicans to close ranks and enthusiastically support Tom, Scott and the rest of our slate so that we will prevail on November 6th and keep Easton the desirable town we all know and love. Divided we will surely fail, and unfortunately, deliver a victory to the Democrats.

With every confidence in the future of our party and our town, I remain,

Hugh J. Barry Chairman, ERTC