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NORWALK, Conn. This letter to the editor was written by Amanda Brown, Democratic candidate for the Common Council in District C:
I am running for an In-District Common Council seat and seeking to represent the concerns and interests of those in the East Norwalk area. As we all know, the current administration has been reactive in its governance and has simply muddled through the last few years. This form of leadership has put Norwalk in a situation where we are grappling with a steady increase of crime, schools that are limping along, barely meeting state standards and higher taxes despite decreases in city services. Our current trajectory must be altered if Norwalk is to flourish once again. I have the experience to ensure this change will come.
I am the daughter of Southern parents who fled the brutality of segregation and found refuge here in the city of Norwalk. Ultimately, my mother would single-handedly raise two daughters by working at Norwalk Hospital for 40 years while holding various second jobs to secure quality housing in safe neighborhoods and life's necessities. My mother knew that once her family's basic needs were met, then her children could thrive. Yet that confidence is eroding. With more violent episodes and acts of lawlessness filling our hometown newspaper and the continuing indifference of our leading officials, Norwalk tinkers on the brink of losing her small-town appeal that we all love and cherish. I will uphold my mother's legacy and preserve Norwalk's character.
Outside of our middle and high schools, you can find a police officer stationed in the parking lot. As a Norwalk native, I attended our schools, graduated from Brien McMahon High School and earned a B.S. in Legal Administration from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Conn. I remember the days when academic excellence, culture enrichment and community service defined each of Norwalk's public schools. The improvement plans that have been instituted to address our "Needs Improvement" marking were woefully underfunded this year and will cause a regression in the progress we have made thus far. I promise you, this funding will be a top priority because it made me who I am today.
I believe that every child deserves a first-rate public school education. The ability of our schools to prepare our children for global competiveness will define our next generation and the success of our city. As a parent of two teenage children, I am uniquely aware of the challenges and joys that families encounter within the educational system. I will support policies that strengthen our schools, promote academic excellence and provide adequate facilities conducive for learning.
I am a compassionate civil servant who knows that in order to make a positive difference in the community you need hard work and good management skills. As a former Common Councilwoman, I know how the city's political environment operates and will use this knowledge to solve problems and make the necessary adjustments required to keep improving our city.
I will diligently work to implement and support programs that foster youth activities and deter crime. I will collaborate with city departments to prioritize the repair of the city's neglected and deteriorated infrastructure (i.e. roads, drains, bridges, etc.). I will scrutinize the city's operating and capital budgets to ensure that each taxpayer's investment is managed wisely and thoroughly accounted for. Most importantly, I will listen to YOU, my community, in shaping our destiny.
This administration has increased taxes, allowed the crime rate to climb, our schools to decline and roads to deteriorate, yet boldly asks for another term. We must act now. We can endure no more, so join me in the pursuit of progress. Norwalk is our home and it's worth fighting for.
Vote BROWN FOR OUR TOWN, Nov. 8, 2011.
Running for office? Send a statement to nchapman@thedailynorwalk.com.
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