LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Cromwell Dems denounces Lesser mailer

The Cromwell Democratic Town Committee strongly condemns the anti-Semitic mailer that (9th Senate District candidate) state Rep. Matt Lesser’s (D-Middletown) opponent’s campaign has recently distributed, especially in the wake of the tragic events that occurred in Pittsburgh Saturday.

I’m disgusted, but unfortunately not surprised at the antisemitic attacks on Matt Lesser by the Charamut campaign. These words and images in the mailer are a clear dog whistle, and are absolutely unacceptable. It’s unconscionable that this would be distributed given the recent attack at the synagogue in Pittsburgh.

I’d like to call on political leaders and candidates of both parties in our district to denounce this behavior by the Charamut campaign.

Scott Lamberson, chairman, Cromwell Democratic Town

Committee

Ziobron helped usher animal testing bill into law

I have known Melissa for over 30 years. I have seen her compassion, drive and commitment. I know of many people within my town that Melissa has helped personally. In 2015, she took the time to meet with my daughter and me at the state Capitol to help Alyssa with her senior project for high school. Her project was on animal testing.

Since then, HB-5707 has been passed. Cats and dogs used for research are now offered to rescue organizations for placement instead of being euthanized. This is just one of the many examples of Melissa’s commitment and compassion.

Melissa is a fighter! She works tirelessly at the Capitol for all of us in her district and she will continue to do the same as our state senator. Please vote for Melissa Ziobron Nov. 6.

Denise Dill, East Haddam

Carpino, Republicans will create sound fiscal policy

I am writing in support of Christie Carpino, the incumbent candidate for state representative for the 32nd District. Representative Carpino’s service to our district over the years has been a challenge with the presence of the Democrat majority. Her ability to maintain her conservative principles while working with the Democrat majority is truly commendable.

For the first time in years, our state has a chance to make substantial Republican gains in House and Senate seats. How any voter can possibly continue to vote for the Democrat majority status quo is beyond me. Our state is a Democrat-led fiscal disaster. Someone needs to remind the Democrats running this state that, without an attractive business climate, you will not attract the business and industry required to generate a sufficient tax base.

Advocacy for children and families (a Democrat soundbite) is impossible without sound financial policy that promotes a larger tax base, not higher tax rates.

A vote for Laurel Steinhauser is a vote for the Democrat majority status quo that put us in our current fiscal crisis. Hopefully, the rest of the state wakes up and votes against the Democrat status quo as well.

Rep. Carpino’s experience and leadership, coupled with more Republican members in House and Senate seats, would result in much overdue sound fiscal policy for our state. Patrick Moynihan,

Portland

Taxpayers paid for mailer attacking Lesser

I am writing this letter out of frustration with Ed Charamut, the Republican candidate for the 9th state Senate district. Over the past few days, he has allowed his campaign and political allies to send unacceptable mailers attacking my friend state Rep. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, — his Democratic opponent in the Nov. 6 election.

I have been concerned by some of the content created by local Republicans that has yet to be denounced by Mr. Charamut. We will not tolerate intolerance here in Middletown, and it is my opinion that some of their content borders on intolerant, and, at best, lacks integrity. This poor judgment by Mr. Charamut raises doubts on its own, and is made worse by his and his colleague’s inability to demonstrate understanding of issues important to me, like paid family medical leave, and funding Care 4 Kids, a key early childhood education program that that supports thousands of children and working families across our state.

At a forum last week, in response to a question about mailers from a concerned Westfield resident, Mr. Charamut declared to the room that he did not know anything about these mailers, and was not responsible for them. Unfortunately, he did not reject the outside support or demonstrate leadership with a promise to call them out moving forward.

This week, a mailer has been sent by the Charamut campaign that I can truly say is the most disgusting I have ever seen in the state of Connecticut. This most recent mailer is antiSemitic — full stop. In light of Mr. Lesser’s Jewish heritage and the recent attack on the Jewish community in Pittsburgh, I was stunned to see that these ignorant mailers were directly paid for by Mr. Charamut’s campaign. Not a super PAC, not a special interest, him. What’s worse, Mr. Charamut is collecting public financing, which means he used our money to do it.

I know that Matt Lesser is very busy knocking doors, putting in the work, and speaking directly with the residents of the 9th District, as he has every day for over six months. He is present in our community hearing from the people. This is what leadership looks like. Reject the poison from the right and vote for Matt Lesser Nov. 6.

Kellin Atherton, Middletown

Ziobron works diligently for constituency

Melissa Ziobron is the hardest working, most visible representative we have had in years. She will work just as diligently and effectively as our state senator. She truly cares about her constituents. Join me in supporting Melissa Ziobron Nov. 6. Mark Philhower, East

Hampton

Carpino cares about families, children

I will be voting for Rep. Christie Carpino in the upcoming election. I am a mom of two young girls and I am a Democrat. Being familiar with Rep. Carpino’s record, I am absolutely floored by how my party’s candidate is bashing Rep. Carpino’s record and character.

I have seen Rep. Carpino volunteer with Special Olympics and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. The cameras weren’t there, but Rep. Carpino dove in and gave it her all. She cares about our children, our families and our community.

Rep. Carpino has this Democrat’s vote. Christine Marino,

Cromwell