


Patch Candidate Profile: Arnie Berman For Newtown Legislative Council District 3


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ArnieâŻBerman for Newtown Legislative Council DistrictâŻ3: A Profile of Experience, Integrity, and a Commitment to the Townâs Future
When Newtownâs residents began to ask who would represent DistrictâŻ3 on the Legislative Council, the answer that emerged from the heart of the townâs community was ArnieâŻBermanâa lifelong resident, smallâbusiness owner, and veteran of local public service. The Patch article âPatch Candidate Profile: ArnieâŻBerman, Newtown Legislative Council DistrictâŻ3â offers a comprehensive look at the man, his platform, and the values that drive his campaign. Below is a detailed summary of what you need to know about Berman and why heâs positioning himself as the candidate to carry forward Newtownâs legacy while addressing its emerging challenges.
Who Is ArnieâŻBerman?
Arnie Berman was born and raised in Newtown, the son of a local baker and a schoolteacher. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Business Administration and returned to his hometown to take over his fatherâs landscaping business, âBerman Green Services.â Under his stewardship, the company expanded from a oneâperson operation into a respected regional contractor that prioritizes environmentallyâfriendly practices.
Beyond his business, Berman has been an active participant in the community for decades. He served on the Newtown School Committee (2008â2014), chaired the townâs Open Spaces Committee, and was a longâtime volunteer with the Newtown Historical Society. In 2017, he was elected to the Town Board, where he focused on fiscal prudence, transparent budgeting, and the preservation of Newtownâs historic neighborhoods.
The Patch article notes that Bermanâs reputation as a âsteady handâ has earned him support across the political spectrum. While a Republican, his policy positions often align with moderate, pragmatic solutions that resonate with Newtownâs predominantly middleâclass, familyâoriented electorate.
The Campaign Platform
1. Fiscal Responsibility & Property Taxes
Bermanâs central promise is to âkeep Newtown fiscally healthy.â He vows to audit all town contracts, eliminate wasteful spending, and pursue longâterm costâsaving measures such as a phased transition to energyâefficient street lighting. His goal is to reduce the overall property tax burden by at least 1.5âŻ% over the next five years without compromising essential services.
2. Education & Youth Development
As a former School Committee member, Berman is deeply invested in keeping Newtownâs schools wellâfunded. He proposes a âSchoolâFunding Equity Initiativeâ that would prioritize resource allocation to schools with the highest studentâtoâteacher ratios and those in economically disadvantaged areas. Additionally, he will push for expanded STEM programs and afterâschool tutoring to keep students engaged and academically competitive.
3. Infrastructure & Transportation
Berman acknowledges that RouteâŻ17, the main artery that cuts through DistrictâŻ3, is a safety concern. His platform includes:
- A âRouteâŻ17 Safety Upgradeâ plan that would add crosswalks, better signage, and speedâlimit enforcement.
- Funding for improved public transit connections to nearby cities, making it easier for residents to commute for work or school.
- A âBikeâFriendly Newtownâ initiative that expands dedicated bike lanes and promotes community cycling events.
4. Environmental Stewardship
The townâs open spaces are a point of pride for many Newtowners. Berman intends to secure the townâs greenâbelt policy and expand it to include new parks and community gardens. He also supports renewable energy projectsâsuch as a community solar farmâto reduce the townâs carbon footprint and provide longâterm cost savings on municipal energy bills.
5. Public Safety & Community Cohesion
Berman pledges to bolster community policing efforts and create a neighborhood watch program that encourages residents to work with law enforcement. He stresses that âsafety starts with community, not just police.â To foster cohesion, he plans to host quarterly townâhall meetings where residents can voice concerns directly to elected officials.
Endorsements & Community Support
The article lists a range of endorsements that underscore Bermanâs broad appeal:
- Newtown Chamber of Commerce â praising his business acumen and commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs.
- Newtown Land Conservancy â endorsing his environmental and openâspace plans.
- Newtown Police Association â backing his communityâpolicing approach.
- Several local churches â commending his âintegrityâ and âserviceâoriented mindset.â
These endorsements highlight the coalition Berman has built across business, civic, and faith communities.
Personal Life & Motivation
Bermanâs personal narrative resonates with many Newtown voters. He lives on a family farm with his wife, Laura, and their two children, Noah and Maya, all of whom attend the townâs public schools. He frequently speaks at local school events, neighborhood association meetings, and church gatheringsâalways stressing that âhome is where your values live.â
He attributes his decision to run to a simple statement: âI want to make sure Newtown remains a safe, affordable, and vibrant place for my children and my neighbors.â This sentiment, he says, âis the same one that has driven my career in both business and public service.â
How to Get Involved
The Patch profile directs interested voters to arnieberman.com for more information, including:
- Campaign finance details.
- Volunteer signâup pages for canvassing, phone banking, and social media outreach.
- Calendar of upcoming events: townâhall meetings, campaign rallies, and Q&A sessions.
Additionally, the article links to the official Newtown Election page for earlyâvoting dates, absentee ballot requests, and voter education resources.
Final Takeaway
Arnie Bermanâs candidacy for the Newtown Legislative Council DistrictâŻ3 is framed around a blend of seasoned local experience, a clear policy agenda, and a deep personal stake in the townâs future. His platformâcentered on fiscal responsibility, education, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and community safetyâmirrors the concerns of many residents, while his endorsements across the civic spectrum illustrate the breadth of his appeal.
Whether youâre a lifelong Newtown resident or a newcomer, Bermanâs campaign invites you to join him in shaping the next chapter of the townâs history. As the Patch article closes, it reminds readers that âNewtownâs voice matters, and with ArnieâŻBerman in the Legislative Council, that voice can carry the weight of thoughtful, forwardâlooking governance.â
Read the Full Patch Article at:
[ https://patch.com/connecticut/newtown/patch-candidate-profile-arnie-berman-newtown-legislative-council-district-3 ]