From Town Tribune Nov 2, 2017. To the Editor: For the record, I never ‘liked’ or ‘requested to join’ Friends of Sherman Republican Town Committee as they recently posted in Facebook. I saw that several other people experienced the same thing; two are on the Democratic Town Committee! I am registered unaffiliated voter.

Are we being hacked? Really? in Sherman? Do we really need to bring the underhanded filth in DC to our town? Do we need the unending personal attacks because someone runs against you in an election? This degrading behavior affects us all, bringing our town to new lows.

I would like to believe the town I’ve lived in for 35 years and raised our children, would be better than what I’ve experienced firsthand with our first selectman. That all of us could engage in civil discourse and still be neighbors, even friends, regardless of our differences. This has become impossible over the last 4 years.

I fully support Don Lowe and Kevin Keenen, not only for their superior qualifications that directly; pertain to the positions they are seeking, but, because they have run a clean, positive campaign, and, are simply decent human beings. We need that now, more than ever.

Catharine Cooke, Sherman

From Town Tribune Oct 26, 2017. To the Editor: Sherman needs a leader who is dedicated to the Town and to the position.

In the years that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Don, I’ve found him to be an intense listener who cares about only one thing- doing  what’s right for the Town. Don has shown that he not only listens to his constituents, but he actually gives thoughtful and careful consideration to their views. Don is a true outdoors man and understands that many of us choose to live in Sherman due to its natural beauty and the many recreational opportunities that it affords. As an adjunct professor and advanced degree holder, Don understands the importance of a strong educational system in Sherman.

Candlewood Lake has experienced challenges that included milfoil and blue green algae. New Fairfield’s Chapman/Hodge pursued a wildly unpopular and unwise plan to introduce for the first time chemicals into Candlewood Lake without consultation with the other Towns or the CLA. Fortunately, Don Lowe became an outspoken and well informed critic of this plan, at one point spending several hours to review the complex factors influencing Candlewood’s water quality. Mr. Cope, despite being presented with a petition signed by scores of Sherman residents who opposed this plan stayed mute—no doubt not wanting to go against his earliest supporters for his failed run for congress- New Fairfield’s Chapman and Hodge who were championing the introduction of dangerous chemicals into Candlewood.

Sherman has only one full time Selectman. We can’t risk re-electing an official who allowed the very real campaign demands of a US Congressional campaign to cause selectman meetings to be cancelled, public comment periods to be truncated and poor decisions to be made that were dictated by the demands of political influences both inside and outside of Sherman.

Don is a homeowner and taxpayer whose interests are closely aligned with the long term interests of the community. He has pledged that the First Selectman job will be his only focus. Don cares deeply about our community and will increase governmental openness and transparency fostering greater community involvement in managing our Town. Don has earned our support.

Scott Randall, Sherman

From the Town Tribune, Oct 26, 2017.  To the Editor: One would never expect a First Selectman to willfully violate a local zoning regulation because, after all, what kind of example would that set for the rest of us? But this is precisely what Clay Cope has done.

Before ordering a rather large sign for the new Wash Station, he was advised to first check with Zoning to be sure it conformed to code. He did not, and it did not. He spent taxpayer money to purchase it anyway, intentionally choosing to not pay attention to an important regulation that everyone else is subject to. When the non-conforming sign was put up, the Land Use Enforcement Officer had no choice but to cite it as being in violation of a zoning regulation.

The consequence to the enforcement officer for not looking the other way, but instead doing his job in a professional and non-partisan manner, was to receive notice that his hours were being cut.

Does any of this illustrate good leadership, the kind you would want  for another two years? You do not need my twenty-five years of Sherman land use board experience to know that the town itself is never exempt from following its own rules.

As a former member of Planning and Zoning, shouldn’t Mr. Cope be especially knowledgeable, mindful and respectful of all of our zoning regulations, particularly as First Selectman? It’s shocking that he evidently believes that regulations which apply to the rest of the town do not necessarily apply to him.

The sign is still there. The sign is still in violation. It’s a very bad sign.
Joe Chiaramonte, Sherman

From Town Tribune, Oct 26, 2017. To the Editor: I pose the following questions for thought when you go to cast your ballot next week.

First, to the people of Sherman that have been without cell service for six years. All we have to date is a statement by the current Republican team that they are in negotiations with adjacent municipalities of which, they admitted at the debate, will still not provide service to all of southern Sherman. This is simply not acceptable to homeowners and first responders.

Second, to the elderly who are the backbone of this town’s elected and voluntary positions and find themselves in financial or medical straits, has anything been actually done to alleviate your situation? Does one actually believe that a $300 credit is a tipping point in changing your circumstances?

The above referenced group of people that are affected from these shortcomings are your fellow Shermanites who you see at church, school, town events,and the IGA. Do they not deserve the same cell service you enjoy? Do they not deserve some compassion in their golden years after giving of their time to enrich the life that you enjoy in this town?

If you agree with me that this is just wrong, then please cast your vote next week for Don Lowe for First Selectman and Kevin Keenan for Selectman.

Richard Connell, Sherman