LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Steinhauser will stand up to partisan interests

As both an Independent and elected official, I am proud to support Laurel Steinhauser to be my next state representative. With the latest news that the Trump Administration is seeking to dismantle LGBT rights through a proposed roll back of Title IX protections, it is critical we do not let the same thing happen in Connecticut.

Laurel is truly an independent voice who is not afraid to stand up for all of us when our rights are being threatened. It is time to reaffirm our community’s support for the most vulnerable by voting for someone who is willing to stand up to partisan interests. For me, that is a vote for Laurel Steinhauser.

Matthew J. Long, Cromwell

Haines would push for audit of state finances

I love our community. We own a small farm in East Haddam, where we raise beef and chickens. It’s where my two daughters, who attended public school, are now off to college. I have been volunteering here since we moved here, most recently as member of the Economic Development Commission and board member and founding member of the East Haddam News. I am invested in our community. I am concerned about our beautiful state. Families are finding it harder and harder to stay here as the costs to stay escalate.

My top priority in Hartford will be to keep more money in your pocket. Our state government spends too much money and has made poor financial decisions. I will advocate to create common-sense policies designed to make government more efficient while promoting spending reductions in all departments. I would recommend a line-by-line audit of the state budget to identify waste and root out fraud. The state government needs to be held accountable. We can’t afford more of the same.

Connecticut’s economy needs a boost. I will work tirelessly to create policies to retain and attract businesses and keep our young people in state. Reducing the tax and overregulation burdens on small business will help them expand and grow jobs. We need to invest in education by aligning vocational-tech school courses with manufacturing jobs.

Keeping families together living in our community with a renewed commitment to a prosperous Connecticut is what we all need to commit to. You can rest assured I will be an active communicator reporting our progress. You will have an out-of-the-box thinker and problem solver rising above party rhetoric to come up with good solutions for all of us.

Irene Haines Republican candidate, state rep., 34th District,

East Haddam Ziobron promises to change ‘flawed’ budget process

It has been my privilege to represent Colchester, East Haddam and East Hampton for the last six years in the House chamber.

The single greatest issue facing Connecticut is our fiscal crisis. We are facing a $4.6 billion budget deficit. I won’t mince words: Our state is sick and we need to deliver tough medicine. The solutions won’t be easy, but, just as I have done for the last six years in Hartford, as your state senator, I will be ready to work with other problem solvers, no matter their party affiliation.

If elected, voters can rest in the knowledge that I will walk into the Capitol on day one and put my skill and experience with the budget to work. I will address the flawed budget process, working to finalize the state budget long before session adjourns. Finally, I will always treat your tax dollars carefully while giving the job 100 percent of my attention, rather than some of my free time.

I want Connecticut to thrive, prosper and live within its means. We can turn our state around.

State Rep. Melissa Ziobron, R-East Haddam, candidate for state

Senate, 33rd District Leaders should denounce ‘anti-Semitic’ mailer

I want to thank Middletown Common Councilman Phil Pessina for speaking out against the disgusting and horrifying flyer sent out by the political opponent of Democratic 9th Senate District candidate state Rep. Matt Lesser. I call upon Phil’s fellow council members, and all elected officials, to do the same. Here’s why.

The depiction of a money-grubbing man with a big nose is an age-old “dog whistle” aimed at those who blame Jews for economic woes. To give only one example, Nazis, in 1930s Germany, employed such images to stir up the public’s hatred of Jews, even in children’s board games. I am not saying that Charamut’s defenders are Nazis. I’m saying that history repeats itself when decent people look the other way at such appeals to bigotry.

To defend or remain silent about Charamut’s vile action is to condone it. As a resident of 30 years, I believe that Middletown deserves the kind of decency from its elected officials shown by Phil Pessina. Elizabeth Bobrick Middletown Phipps is resourceful, a problem solver

I am the former executive director of Oddfellows Playhouse, Middletown’s nonprofit children’s theater. I have known Quentin “Q” Phipps for a long time, and was able to learn much about his work ethic while he served as treasurer of our board. Q is resourceful and a problem solver. Q believes that our government should help solve community issues in an effort to enhance the lives of all. I can’t think of anyone better to represent me, our youth, and the entirety of Middletown as our state representative. Please vote for him Nov. 6.

Betsy Morgan

Middletown Carpino ensures small towns have voice

Our state is at a turning point. We need state Rep. Christie Carpino, R-Cromwell, fighting for us in Hartford.

Christie has been a true champion for our district and worked to make sure our small town voices were always represented strongly in Hartford. She has worked hard to defeat the reckless tax-and-spend budgets of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. When faced with multi-billion-dollar deficits, Christie put in countless hours to maintain essential services for Cromwell and Portland taxpayers and reduce spending. That alone is a herculean task. She understands that you can’t spend more than you bring in and that Connecticut must stay affordable for our families.

Christie is a true partner. She has helped secure various state grants for the town and is a phone call away if I have a problem, question, or a state agency that needs some navigation. It is reassuring to have a state representative that fights for the best interest of everyone in town.

Christie has represented our district with honor and dignity — always taking the high road.

Enzo Faienza, mayor,

Town of Cromwell