Lamont talks economy, touts change

Chamber forum draws residents, business owners

TORRINGTON — With just 15 days until voters choose a new governor, a forum on Monday with residents and business leaders at the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce allowed Democratic candidate Ned Lamont to reach a number of key constituents during a brisk, one-hour discussion.

Lamont answered economic, workforce and quality of life questions from about 25 attendees who represented a range of companies and interests.

“We don’t need more taxes, we need more taxpayers,” Lamont told the group. “Growth is the answer. We have 40,000 jobs that can’t be filled.”

Several in the group said the chamber is taking the lead in the region on workforce development. The organization supports the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board to help develop a strong workforce to provide economic

development in the Northwest Corner.

A common concern about increasing entrepreneurship in the region is the lack of reliable Internet service. Lamont said he had a plan.

“We will bring 5G highspeed Internet,” to the region, he said. The service is the “next wave of cellular technology,” according to the New York Times.

Lamont said 5G would replace the need to install fiber optic cable from pole to pole. “You should be able to do (online work) in downtown Torrington as well as anywhere else.”

Decreasing the cost of government spending, Lamont noted, could begin with increasing efficiency. “We have 169 feisty towns. There are 169 tax collectors,” he said. “We can’t subsidize inefficiency. We pay more for administrators outside the classroom than the teachers inside.”

A change Lamont said he would make quickly, if elected, would help decrease the cost of owning a home.

“I will do everything I can to bring down property taxes,” he said. “It’s the biggest tax for the middle class.”

Jacque Williams of Torrington asked about “the toxic political climate.”

“New people are coming in who vote strictly on emotions,” Williams said.

He asked Lamont what the candidate stood for as a Democrat.

“A lot don’t feel they are welcome” in politics. Lamont said. “Some women say, ‘the government doesn’t quite understand me.’”

His solution as governor, he said, would be “to roll out the welcome mat. We are stronger for our diversity.”

Leslie Hutchison / Hearst Connecticut Media Democratic candidate for governor Ned Lamont speaks at a forum hosted by the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. At right is chamber president and CEO JoAnn Ryan.

Leslie Hutchison / Hearst Connecticut Media Lifelong residents, newly arrived retirees and business leaders gathered for a political forum with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont on Monday.