Patch Candidate Profile: William DeRosa​, Newtown Legislative Council

NEWTOWN, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Newtown and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Newtown Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

William DeRosa is running for re-election to the Newtown Legislative Council, representing District 1 as a Republican.

Education.

Undergrad, Graduate Studies Juilliard School of Music

What is your occupation?

Internationally recognized professional musician. Cellist working as a soloist with many major symphony orchestras, recitalist and chamber musician since age of 12 yrs.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I have a wonderful family that consists of my wife Kersti, son Jack, 9 yr old who attends HOM, Enzo the Doberman and Annabelle our White 4 pound show poodle.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

NA

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

I am currently sitting on the Newtown Legislative Council D1 and up for re-election.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

In 2011 my wife and I began an exhaustive search for a country home within a reasonable distance of NYC. We looked at many towns and chose Newtown for several reasons. We loved the small town feeling combined with air of sophistication. The excellent schools (at the time) were a driving factor due to the fact that they would protect our investment and if we ever had a family we might consider moving full time from city. In 2014, Jack arrived and in 2017 we began transitioning full time to Newtown. Unfortunately, Newtown has changed significantly since 2011 and in my opinion not all for the positive. In 2019, I realized it’s easy to criticize from the sidelines but if I want to protect our little gem with a flagpole in the center… I was going to have to get involved.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Simply put … Newtown is at a crossroads. The schools' rankings and testing scores are slipping significantly. The traffic issue is becoming unbearable. Zoning and growth are of considerable concern not to mention affordability of residents being able to stay and age in place. These are all issues that take thought and responsible planning. My hope is that I can bring a responsible vision moving forward and help along with the many other volunteers to realize a plan for sustainable growth for our town. We must never forget our history and respect it.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am a leader. I started as Vice Chair of the Republican Party in 2019. By 2021, I propelled (along with my 3 other Board Members) the Republican Party into a majority across the board on all Councils in Newtown. In 2021, I accepted the Chair, which I recently resigned in Oct. 2023. During this time I was involved not only on the Legislative Council but instrumental in devising a plan along with our Superintendent in getting our kids back into schools during the pandemic, writing bipartisan resolutions protecting zoning in Newtown, I was also a major opponent, along with Bob Stefanowski, of Governor Lamont’s toll proposals which I felt would have a terrible impact on Newtown traffic.

I am an achiever who can contribute.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

The Democrat incumbent, Chris Gardener D1, who is also running for re-election, has not failed in any fashion. As matter of fact I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him and I hope he also gets re-elected. We are all volunteers working for the same cause… our beloved Town. We may not agree on everything and that’s ok, it’s called Democracy of which I am a huge proponent.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

There are a myriad of issues facing Newtown. Traffic, zoning, constant examination of the BOE budget making sure the tax payers' dollars actually get down to our kids as well overall affordability are the major driving factors. On a personal level I hope we begin looking at why our athletic fields are closed so often. I have a child in the Parks and rec. soccer program who is affected first hand. For years it seems daily I receive text messages saying all fields are closed … even when we have just a drop of rain. Many of our neighboring towns life goes on as usual with games and practice while here in Newtown are closed. I have had many parents reach out to me and I think it deserves examination moving forward.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am a solid conservative voice for residents of Newtown. Someone who has a proven track record that gives 100% to our cause which is the betterment of our town.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Listen …. Don’t talk to talk.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have enjoyed working the past 2 yrs on the Legislative Council and felt my contributions to the body have been positive. My opinion is my job is not done so I am offering my time moving forward to help Newtown grow in a responsible fashion. Please consider re-electing me along with my running mates Jim Landy and Derek Pisani for Legislative Council D1.