LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
My name is Gerald Martin and I am a candidate for Norwich City Council. Are you tired of high taxes in Norwich? So am I. It is time to take Norwich in a different direction rather than take the same old tax and spend policies of the current council. To re-elect those who in the past have raised your taxes and are promising to lower them now, you're upset is not very productive. No one wants high taxes. As citizens of this city we learn to live within our means in our daily life. People on fixed incomes are getting hit the hardest.
On Nov. 3, please support the Republican candidates as one or two cannot effectively stop this trend. It's your money that many have worked hard for all their lives. Please support us by getting involved and voting for a better Norwich.
It is time that someone with blue-collar Acadian French roots takes Norwich in a place where all can once again achieve the American dream. The only way that can happen is with lots of hard work and the right team in place. You have the opportunity to make that happen. Gerald M. Martin Norwich
I am pleased to write this letter to inform fellow voters how Cathy Carter's many years of experience in government service have prepared her for the job of Old Lyme first selectman.
Cathy earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in public management with a concentration on municipal government. In the early 1980s, she served in two consecutive internships in Meriden City Hall and in Washington in the U.S. Congress. Following her internships at the municipal and federal levels, she served in positions with the Bridgeport Housing Authorities for several years. Cathy was also selected as a Governor's Fellow for the State of New Jersey and served in a position created to address the famous 1983 Mount Laurel, New Jersey Supreme Court decision. Cathy then spent several years in positions with the Stamford Housing Authority and a sales role serving Fairfield and New Haven County municipalities.
Finally, Old Lyme residents will recall Cathy was a girl's lacrosse coach for many years as well as a Lyme-Old Lyme High School employee for several years.
Old Lyme will be well served by Cathy Carter's many years in government service. I urge Old Lyme voters to join me in supporting Cathy Carter. James McQuade Old Lyme
I hope all Groton residents are meeting and asking questions of the candidates for Town Council, RTM and Board of Education. Please ask yourselves why should I vote for someone simply because they have a D or an R next to their name who keeps raising my taxes? I am choosing smart fiscally responsible new candidates from three different parties: Scott Aument for Board of Education and for Town Council; Greg Grim, Bill Smith and Diane Barber. They will all bring new ideas to the table and work collectively to make Groton more efficient.
It is so sad to me that nearly 50 percent of our Groton school children qualify for free lunches. And yet our elected leaders from the town and city can't work together to rein in overspending of costly pensions up to $97,000/year, “Cadillac” medical plans and redundancy in all areas.
Ask your candidates how they plan to address overspending, yearly tax increases, redundancy and distrust between the councils.
We desperately need new leaders who are willing to work together for the betterment of Groton. Don't be fooled into voting party lines, the smart vote is for financial stability and accountability for the residents of Groton. Jay Dempsey Former Groton City Councilor Groton
As a Democratic selectman, I have had the honor and privilege of serving with Dan Steward as he led Waterford for the past several years. Dan has done an outstanding job as first selectman.
In spite of Millstone Power Plant's devaluation and the increased costs to pay off bonds due to construction of schools, he has managed to keep Waterford's tax rate among the lowest in the state.
His opposition claims to want to take the town in a “new direction.” In addition to our low tax rate, we have excellent schools, an excellent water and sewer system, beautiful beaches, outstanding library, parks and recreation programs, and excellent senior services.
There are plans in the works for improvement to our infrastructure that will take place as we can afford them. It seems to me that the only “new direction” his opponents can take Waterford is down.
Please support the Steward/Brule team on Election Day. Paul Konstantakis Waterford