While several officials in Newtown into three different state House of Representative districts, Rep. Dan Carter (R-2) said he could only see the positives with the new set-up.
"I'm excited about the prospects of serving," said Carter, who if he runs and wins re-election in 2012, would come to represent Bethel, Danbury, Redding and Newtown. "It's going to be extra work, there's no question about that, but I'm kind of excited."
A bipartisan commission that would shift slightly more than 1,000 voters from the 106th District in Newtown to the 2nd District, now represented by Carter. Another part of Newtown will remain unchanged as part of the 112th District, which includes Monroe, and is represented by Rep. DebraLee Hovey.
Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra said she was concern with having a small part of town represented by a third legislator who had responsibilities in three other municipalities rather than just one.
"I don't want to be a little of anyone's thinking," Llodra said.
There may be times when Newtown's interest runs counter to other towns represented in the district, Llodra said.
"There will be times I will be pushing for something that might not be in the interest of another district," she said.
At the same time, the first selectman said she wanted to stay open to the change.
"Maybe Newtown will benefit from this," she said.
Carter said that given his experience representing voters in multiple towns, he hasn't run into those conflicts.
"Theoretically, sure there could be conflicts," he said. "But most people are on board with the same issues.
Carter said he already has received calls from constituents eager to let him know their stances on the issues.
Rep. Chris Lyddy (D-106) said he would have rather his district say whole rather than divved up, but in either case, voters will be well represented in Hartford.
"They're not being abandoned," Lyddy said of voters in the redistricted areas.
Legislators also said that they have a good track record of working together and would forsee that to continue.
"We have always had a tradition in Newtown where we've all worked well together," Sen. John McKinney (R-28) said.
In addition, Carter said there remains another year between now and election season for him to learn more about Newtown, he said.
"I have a solid year to get up to speed on the unique issues in Newtown," Carter said.
