LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Leaders, give us a message of tolerance

As we all watch in horror of the recent events of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, it becomes the responsibility of all local leaders to unite its citizens. Each leader in every small town, suburban city or huge metropolis, should respond in a way that demonstrates to its community that our law enforcement professionals will respond to criminal offenses in ways that demonstrate fairness without bias.

I have always respected our law enforcement professionals and am proud to say that I’ve had family members in the department who performed in exemplary ways. I often have encounters with police that are positive, however, I am a white female and I suspect this makes a difference.

Maybe it’s time to have all law enforcement members to renew their diversity training? Maybe our chief of police and our mayor can do something to ease our tensions? If our leaders don’t respond to such comments as, “when the looting starts, the shooting starts,” it condones such behavior in our own communities.

I implore our much respected city officials to reach out to all citizens and let us all know that this will not be allowed in our city, that police officers will respond with appropriate means with no bias, and that under no circumstances will such a horror as George Floyd’s death be tolerated here. Sandra Atanasoff

Danbury

Please wear a mask to protect others

As of May 28th, there are now 101,000 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. This number has accumulated over a mere three-month period, eclipsing the death toll of both the Korean and Vietnam wars combined.

Forty-one percent or more of infected people do not show any symptoms, yet can easily transmit the coronavirus. So please, wear a mask or face covering when in public to protect others.

As Ben Franklin wisely observed, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Catherine Robinson Brookfield

Thanks to legislative aide who helped with unemployment funds

Dear state Sen. Craig Miner,

I am writing to you today to personally thank your Legislative Aide, Daniel Davis, on a job so well accomplished. More often that not, we hear of people not living up to the expectations of their job, so it is with that preface that I am writing to acknowledge Mr. Davis’ efficient job performance. I think the State of Connecticut needs to know that there are government officials looking out for them.

I am a single mother of two boys and a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist who was furloughed in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I have worked as a Registered Nurse and as a CRNA in this state for over 25 years. I applied for unemployment as instructed to do, however, I did not receive funds for over eight weeks. During this time, while still filing claims, I relentlessly tried to contact the Department of Labor via phone and email to no avail. I was certain there must have been a simple filing mistake that could be corrected easily. I also understood the gravity this pandemic had on the DOL and tried to remain patient, but trying to care for my boys, myself and my financial obligations was getting very difficult. I borrowed money from family and friends to get by. It was suggested to me that I reach out to government officials to try to help me get through to the DOL. I did just that and Mr. Davis promptly took down my story and information and got to the bottom of the problem. I had unemployment funds within two weeks of speaking to Mr. Davis.

While I understand these times are unprecedented and affect everyone in different ways, Mr. Davis took the time to treat me as an individual with sincerity, thoroughness and efficiency. It felt good to know that someone understood my situation and was vested in helping me. It is this job performance I want you to be aware of.

Nancy Marika Banffy

South Kent