By Jayme Stevenson
Dear New Canaan Friends,
It’s an honor to write in support of Dionna Carlson’s campaign to serve the New Canaan community as your First Selectman! During my 10 years as Darien’s First Selectman I’ve had the privilege of working with a number of exceptional leaders across our great state. Leaders like Dionna who care deeply about ensuring our towns are safe, our schools serve our children well and town-managed services are affordable and meet the needs of our residents. Leaders like Dionna who prioritize civility, relationship building and collaboration in the interest of honoring the values and priorities unique to the town they serve. Leaders like Dionna who have vision, can develop strategies and can build coalitions locally and statewide to accomplish that vision. And leaders like Dionna who can rise to the challenge of managing a community through natural disasters and other crises when they arise.
Dionna has an impressive resume of professional accomplishment and civic engagement. Her 8 years on the New Canaan Board of Education (unanimously elected Chair from 2015-2018) and her financial expertise as a CFA and the variety of roles she held in her time at GE Capital are deeply relevant to the diverse responsibilities of First Selectman. Dionna understands well that fiscal stewardship and respect for taxpayers is foundational to a well-functioning town. She further understands that it “takes a village” of engaged citizens, teachers, town employees, local non-profits, board and commission volunteers, faith communities and timely, factual communication to keep a town running smoothly.
Dionna Carlson is a trusted leader with the skill, experience, focus and compassion needed to continue to lead New Canaan forward. Please cast your vote for Dionna Carlson for First Selectman on November 7th!
Respectfully,
Jayme J. Stevenson
First Selectman, Town of Darien 2011-2021
