Letter to the Editor: Naughton, Mackle and LaGattuta for Board of Education

Editor,

It’s caucus time again and as George Orwell once said "there is no such thing as 'keeping out of politics...All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia.” (He was probably thinking of the Town Council when he wrote that.) Fortunately for New Canaan the contested race for the Board of Education contains none of those things. We have 5 excellent candidates for the 3 seats. Here are the 3 most excellent picks. I’m voting for Bob Naughton, a father of 4 who I have known many years. Bob has experience in both technology and in the Educational Assessment field, two critical skills that should be quite useful to this board.  I’m voting for Julie Mackle who I’ve known since we graduated New Canaan High School in 1985. Julie was the smartest in our class and now has 30 years more perspective on what makes our schools great. I’m voting for Daniel Lagattuta because he also hails from the education field. He runs a small business providing professional development for teachers. His financial experience running a business and understanding of teacher development is a powerful combination that no other candidate provides. 

John Engel III

Recent NCHS Grad Supports John Engel

I grew up and graduated from New Canaan public schools this Spring, experiencing New Canaan’s change these last few years, particularly the loss of something in our downtown.

I don’t take for granted that the Gramophone will always be there, or that Waveny will stay a park. Will New Canaan remain the same town I love? My NC roots are why I identify with John Engel’s candidacy. John is third generation New Canaan, worked in Mead Park, Baskin-Robbins and Walter Stewart's. He knows New Canaan fundamentally better than Nick Williams. John is a businessman, parent, veteran and, like us, an alumnus of New Canaan High School. To the Class of 2011 this is an important distinction. He knows first hand what is being lost, and will restore some of what is essential, bringing back some life to my town.

Lauren Ross

A Vote for Engel is a Vote to Energize Downtown

I am the manager at Athletic Shoe Factory in New Canaan. A vote for John Engel is a vote to energize the downtown.

Engel is an experienced local businessman who understands what it means to be a small business. I feel comfortable talking with him to understand a lease or make changes to improve our business here.

Engel is an innovator, not a politician, willing to think outside the box to revive our downtown.

Engel is accessible because he works here every day, not just on weekends. We see him at the Athletic Shoe Factory and know that this is a priority for him beyond the election season.

We need a selectman like Engel.

Chris Sanford
The Athletic Shoe Factory
Forest Street, New Canaan