LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Raghib Allie-Brennan will be ‘accountable’ to voters

Raghib Allie-Brennan, candidate for Connecticut State Representative in District 2, is clear about his political priorities. When elected, Raghib will focus on attracting and retaining quality jobs; providing tax relief for the middle class; maintaining our seniors’ quality of life; and investing wisely in our schools. Complicated, challenging and important stuff.

I first met Raghib when he was 7-years-old and a member of the T-ball team I coached. Baseball is a complicated, challenging game, especially for a 7-year-old, but young Raghib was undaunted. He worked diligently at practice, asked good questions and thoughtfully considered the answers. In relatively short order, he put into action the solutions that made him a solid youth baseball player.

Traits of childhood carry forward to adulthood. Much like his younger self, to ensure he learned as much as possible, Raghib worked hard as a Congressional Legislative Aid and, more recently, as a small business grant and loan application writer. These roles provided foundational experiences critical to being an effective legislator, including the listening skills needed to learn what is important to the people of District 2, the analytical skills needed to solve complicated and challenging problems and, finally, the organizational skills needed to set priorities that ensure available resources are maximized in a fiscally prudent manner.

While in Hartford, Raghib will focus on the priorities that are important to Connecticut. He’ll work diligently and ask the right questions on his way to implementing solutions and we, the citizens of Connecticut, will be the beneficiaries. Most importantly, he will be open and accountable to the voters of District 2.

I ask that you support Raghib Allie-Brennan for State Rep. in District 2 on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Bob Manfreda

Chairman, Bethel Board of Finance

Making a case for an all-GOP ticket

State Sen. Toni Boucher, state Rep. Will Duff, 5th District candidate Manny Santos, U.S. Senate candidate Matt Corey, Sue Hatfield and Bob Stefanowski are the best candidates. Their experiences best represent us.

Boucher and Duff advocate for taxpayers. Throughout the budget debacle both frequently communicated with me regarding the attack on school funding. Both made sure that the governor’s plan never happened. It’s inaccu- rate to claim that Duff voted for cuts. He wanted full funding and not a compromise.

Manny Santos also gets my vote. Although being “teacher of the year” and the personal story are truly noteworthy, Santos will better represent us. He immigrated to this country, is a veteran, and served as a Mayor of Meriden. Washington is broken and Santos has a better depth of experience to tackle issues facing Connecticut and the nation.

Furthermore, Matt Corey connects with people that drive the nation’s economic engine, small businesses. As a business owner and veteran, Corey represents middle America. His opponent’s whole professional life has been in politics and has focused on fundraising and name recognition. He spent last week campaigning in Florida rather than make his case for re-election. His unwillingness to debate throughout the campaign demonstrates pure hubris.

Sue Hatfield is eminently more qualified to be Attorney General than her opponent. Hatfield has prosecuted human trafficking, assault, firearms, and narcotics cases. Her opponent has almost no trial experience, wanting to “follow the footsteps of Blumenthal and Jepsen” to “take on” Washington. Does he want to be an activist or Connecticut’s chief law enforcement officer?

National Review stated, “Connecticut’s Gubernatorial Race Is a Referendum on Failed Democratic Fiscal Policies.” Ned Lamont is another Dan Malloy. He publicly stated that he will raise taxes and supports tolls. Bob Stefanowski’s strategy to lower taxes, cut spending, cut regulations, and not burden the middle class is more responsible.

Vote Boucher, Duff, Santos, Corey, Hatfield and Stefanowski. Scott Clayton

Bethel

Julie Kushner fights for working people

As a woman and a janitor who earns a modest wage, I couldn’t agree more with Lindsay Farrell’s passionate defense (Oct. 29) of state Senate candidate Julie Kushner regarding the puppet ad sent out by the Republican Majority Committee on behalf of Kushner’s opponent, State Sen. Michael McLachlan.

The truth is the exact opposite of the ad — people in Danbury like me know we need Julie Kushner’s strong, independent voice in the State Senate to help us gain more control over our lives. In Connecticut, millions of working people are living paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford to take time off to care for a new baby or a sick family member. In part, that’s because Sen. McLachlan joined the majority of Republican lawmakers in voting against the paid family leave bill. As usual, Sen. McLachlan and others hide behind the cry of government spending, even though workers would largely fund the benefit from our own pockets.

Julie Kushner has made the fight for paid family leave a cornerstone of her long career in support of working people. That’s one reason that I have gladly joined with other member of our janitor’s union, 32BJ SEIU, to encourage all working people to vote for Julie Kushner for State Senate. Yeny Melendez Danbury

Daniel Pearson has work ethic ‘second to none’

I confidently recommend Daniel Pearson for State Representative for the 107th District. Daniel has the personal and professional experience to take to Hartford to fight for working families.

Growing up with a single mother, Daniel saw first-hand how hard it can be to get ahead. He knows we must raise the minimum wage and implement Paid Family Leave so that families in Connecticut can have a fighting chance. He has lived the experience of having a pre-existing condition and getting kicked off of health insurance. He knows that someone’s ability to pay for the care they need should not dictate their health or future.

In his professional life, he works to provide free after-school care for children in need. He knows that it takes a village and that we must take care of our youngest citizens in order for our state to flourish.

I have had the opportunity to get to know Daniel over the past year and have been impressed again and again with his integrity and thoughtfulness. His ability to speak truth to power and refusal to toe the party line sets him apart from others. He has fresh new ideas and his work ethic is second to none. I know he will take all of that with him to the Capitol and fight for what’s right and fair.

Please join me and vote for Daniel Pearson on Tuesday, Nov. 6th. Leslie Ruggiero Brookfield

Supports Democratic candidates for growth

I’m writing to support Democratic candidates Tom O’Brien for State Rep. of the 67th, David Lawson for State Sen. representing the 30th, and Jahana Hayes for US Congress representing the 5th District.

These candidates will fight for northwestern Connecticut and for our economic, social and environmental justice. The northwestern part of the state is often neglected in regards to transportation, infrastructure, and school funding, and I believe these candidates will encourage growth while protecting our natural resources and geographic beauty. Jackie Eaton New Milford