Somers launches PAC to support Republican candidates WWII WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR TO FLY IN TO GROTON-NEW LONDON AIRPORT
State Sen. Heather Somers has launched Somers PAC, a political action committee dedicated to raising money for Republican candidates for the General Assembly and municipal offices.
“I’m the only Republican woman in the Senate, and I thought I should do all I can to support women,” said Somers, a former Groton town mayor who represents the 18th state Senate District. “We need candidates with business experience, municipal experience or both.”
She said none of the money the PAC raises can be used for her own campaigns.
“It’s important to encourage more women to become involved in government, and this is one way I can help,” she said. “Women are really good at multitasking and working with both (political) sides.”
Among state lawmakers, business experience is important, Somers said, because of the many bills that come before the legislature that affect small businesses.
“As a state senator with experience building a biotech manufacturing business here in Connecticut and leading my hometown of Groton as a mayor, I know firsthand the positive impact that pro-growth, pro-business policies have on our communities,” she said in a statement. “Unfortunately, over the last nine years, we’ve seen leaders in Hartford pursue an agenda that undermines employers, makes it harder to attract high-value workers to our state and that raises the cost of doing business in Connecticut.”
Democrats have held the governor’s seat since former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy began the first of his two terms in office in 2011. Gov. Ned Lamont succeeded Malloy this year.
Currently serving her second Senate term, Somers was the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014, running on a GOP ticket headed by Tom Foley for governor. She served as a Groton Town councilor and mayor and helped found Hydrofera, a medical device manufacturer.
Groton — Five World War II bomber and fighter aircraft will visit the Groton-New London Airport from Sept. 9 to 11, part of the Collings Foundation’s 110-city nationwide Wings of Freedom Tour in honor of WWII veterans.
The B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine,” B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft,” B-25 Mitchell “Tondelayo” bombers, P-51 Mustang “Toulouse Nuts” and P-40 Warhawk “Jaws” fighters will fly into the Groton-New London Airport at noon Sept. 9 and remain on display until the aircraft departs at noon Sept. 11.
“This is a rare opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history,” the event notices states.
The tour “travels the nation as a flying tribute to the flight crews who flew them, the ground crews who maintained them, the workers who built them, the soldiers, sailors and airmen they helped protect; and the citizens and families that share the freedom that they helped preserve,” the notice adds.
The aircraft will be on display in the main terminal of the airport at 140 Tower Ave. Hours of ground tours and display are noon through 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9; 9:30 a.m. through 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, and 9:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Sept. 11. To attend, $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12 is requested for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft. Discounted rates are available for school groups.
Visitors also may take a 30-minute flight aboard the aircraft. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $450 per person. B-25 flights are $400 per person. P-40 Warhawk flight training is $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour. P-51 flight training is $2,400 for a half-hour and $3,400 for a full hour. The 30-minute flight experiences normally are scheduled before and after the ground tour times above. Reservations and information on flight experiences are available by calling (800) 568-8924.
This is the 30th year of the nationwide Wings of Freedom Tour. The Collings Foundation is a nonprofit educational foundation that organizes “living history” events. More information is available at collingsfoundation.org.