LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New leadership needed for Democratic Party

We are members of the incoming Middletown Democratic Town Committee. Recently, the former chairman of the DTC, Sal Nesci, as well as current DTC member Gerry Daley have been attempting to subvert the democratic process that brought the new DTC slate to power.

We’d like to explain why our group felt that new leadership is necessary. First, this is not about Mayor Dan Drew, who has proven himself a capable leader of the town. We look forward to a constructive relationship with him.

What the election was about was an organizational leadership that didn’t listen to its constituents. The 2016 election was a wake-up call for Democrats, Independents and even some Republicans. Hoping to find the support and resources of a major political party, some turned to their local DTCs for guidance.

The Middletown DTC was not engaged with a community that was both scared of the future and motivated to resist Trump and Republican efforts to harm working people. The Middletown DTC failed to give those inspired individuals any worthwhile tasks and many quickly became disenchanted.

One of the goals of the new Middletown DTC is to be open and transparent. We are a part of this community and we will be involved in it. All are encouraged to attend our meetings and let their voices be heard. We will also be clear about how one becomes a member of the DTC, and what the expectations are when you are on the DTC. We are the community and we are accountable to the community. The inaccessibility that plagued the prior slate and frustrated so many wellmeaning and motivated people is a thing of the past.

Additionally, the Middletown DTC was consistently unable to get quorum. Being a member of the DTC is a major responsibility that should be taken seriously and many members failed to do so. Democrats need to step up their efforts.

Finally, the new DTC is much more racially diverse and strives toward greater gender balance. We have a diverse community in Middletown and the prior DTC did not reflect that. The incoming slate makes a concerted effort to give voice to communities that have been historically underrepresented in politics. We want to lift the voices of those who have been silenced for too long.

Ultimately, the election of a new slate, which won the vote by more than 70 percent in January, was a necessity to keep our state in the hands of its citizens. Politics affects everyone and everyone deserves a say. As new members of the Middletown DTC, we are proud to say that our new slate represents all people and we are excited to make this city even better than it already is.

— Eric Morgenson, Laurie McFadden, Stephen Magro, Diana Martinez, Brandon Chafee, Stephen Devoto, Dolly Haddad, Melinda Brainerd, Lisa Loomis, Will Arther, Bob Reutenauer and Jenny Lecce

Mandatory voting guarantees better Connecticut

I am the executive director and founder of Citizens for a Better Connecticut. The primary goal of Citizens for a Better Connecticut is to increase the percentage of the voting electorate in the state.

Voter turnout in Connecticut is unacceptable. Apathy is hurting our state.

I am asking for legislation to be drafted, introduced and voted on by the General Assembly this session to make voting mandatory in Connecticut. I am looking for like-minded residents who are committed to making voting mandatory in our state.

Increased participation in voting is critical to Connecticut's recovery. Are you willing to help?

— Daniel L. Healy, New Britain