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Republican First Selectman Candidate David M. Becker Publicly Releases Letter to Opponent Robert Benedict Bellitto, Jr.

In the letter, Becker calls on Bellitto to:

    1. Rally behind the winner of the Fairfield Republican caucus on July 19th
       for Town and party unity; and
    2. Agree in principle that the next First Selectman should participate in a
       401-a retirement plan and abandon the notion that our Town can still
       afford to bare the risks associated with a defined-benefit plan for the
       First Selectman.

"It is my sincere hope that my opponents can agree to these common sense positions, which are supported by a plurality of voters, regardless of political affiliation," said Republican candidate for First Selectman David Becker. "I very much look forward to taking my forward-looking and positive campaign messages directly to voters tonight as we work toward a 'Better Today' and a 'Brighter Tomorrow' for all of Fairfield's residents."

Becker added: "I plan to reach out to the debate moderator and request these aforementioned points be addressed in tonight's Town-hall style debate."

As a reminder, the Republican First Selectman caucus debate will be held in the Memorial Room of the Fairfield Public Library's main branch (www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org) located at 1080 Old Post Road. The debate is open to all Town residents regardless of political affiliation. Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to hear from the candidates and ask them direct questions about their platforms and vision for the Town. This debate comes just a week before Fairfield Republicans vote to decide on who will be their party-endorsed First Selectman candidate.

Below is a copy of the letter that was hand-delivered to Bellitto:

David M. BeckerBecker for Fairfield31 Catherine StreetFairfield, CT 06824

July 11, 2011

Robert B. Bellitto, Jr.Bellitto for Fairfield1495 Black Rock TurnpikeFairfield, CT 06825

Dear Rob,

I look forward to engaging with you and the other candidate tonight at the Republican First Selectman caucus debate. I am confident we can all agree our Town is at the crossroads of its history and now--more than ever--we need to elect a Republican First Selectman come November 2011. For that reason, and for the good of the local Republican Party, I believe the caucus winner, i.e., the official party-endorsed candidate, should receive the full support of the second and third place candidates. It is my sincere hope that you and the other candidate will commit to this principle at our debate later today.

In addition, and as you may recall, a few weeks back I released a thought piece on "Fairfield's Budget Crisis: How We Got Here, What Is Coming Next" (http://www.davidbecker.com/fairfield-budget-crisis). In this piece I wrote that the next First Selectman should participate in a 401-a retirement plan and abandon the concept that our Town can still afford to bare the risks associated with a defined-pension benefit plan for the First Selectman. Given the ongoing financial challenges facing Fairfield, I pledge to move toward a 401-a plan if I am elected First Selectman and sincerely hope you can join me too in making this promise to voters during our debate.

Later today we will each have the opportunity to share our Town vision directly with voters. I am very proud of our party's transparency in hosting this event for Fairfield voters and believe it will only make us stronger. Thanks for agreeing to be a part of this important process.

Sincerely yours,

David M. Becker

cc: Firefighter Hugh Dolan

About David M. Becker

Fairfield First Selectman candidate David M. Becker (www.davidbecker.com) is a life-long Fairfield resident and one of our town's most visible political leaders. As a Republican member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), he votes as a fiscal conservative dedicated to securing a flourishing future for Fairfield by slowing spending and reducing the residential tax burden.

Paid for by Becker for Fairfield -- Andrew Garson, Treasurer -- Approved by David Becker

SOURCE David M. Becker