Letters to the Editor: Election 2020

[Note: NewCanaanite.com through Oct. 21 will publish Election 2020 endorsement letters from New Canaan residents for candidates seeking to represent the town.]

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I have represented the people of Wilton and New Canaan in the General Assembly since 2013. From 2017-2018 we had all Republicans representing New Canaan and Wilton and during that time we passed a bipartisan no tax increase budget that implemented the spending and borrowing cap that created an approximate $3 billion dollar rainy day fund. Then in 2018, because of people’s dissatisfaction with DC, the District voted out three of the best legislators our state has ever had. As a result of the above loses, in 2019, the legislature passed some of the most anti-business legislation in our state’s history and increased spending and taxes, not to mention the anti-police legislation, attempted school regionalization, and state control of local zoning.  

We need Fred Wilms back in the General Assembly where he made a difference for you from 2015 to 2019. Fred was one of the main reasons we passed the bipartisan budget. Fred was the only state rep who was a banker and chaired his town’s Fiscal Authority. Fred was also one of the proponents of the new ECS formula that brought more money to his District.

We need Kim Healy in the Senate. Kim and her husband raised their four children in Wilton where they intend to stay. She is an accountant, and a former auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers. A daughter and sister to two police officers, Kim knows how vital police and first responders are in keeping our communities safe. She will support our towns and our police. That is why she received the Fraternal Order of Police endorsement along with endorsements from the seven police unions in the 26th District.

Finally, we also need Ryan Fazio in the Senate. Ryan went through public schools in Greenwich and attended Northwestern before returning to live and work in southwestern Connecticut. Ryan’s successful private sector background in agriculture, renewable energy, and markets will enable him to address the economic and environmental challenges facing Connecticut.

The majority party has controlled Connecticut’s budget for over 40 years. Connecticut ranks at or near the bottom in business climate, taxes, debt per capita and job growth. In fact, we are the only state that has not recovered from 2008 and the only state in which the public sector makes more than the private sector for similar jobs. Isn’t it time to give us a chance?

Tom O’Dea

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Democrats, Republicans, and Independents have all told me that they like Kim Healy’s position on keeping the New Canaan school district in the hands of New Canaan residents and taxpayers.  “Hands off our Schools” will need strong local support in Hartford next year.  Support that was not there before.  She realizes that the magic in high quality education is driven by local support by parents and teachers.  Not a Hartford run mandate that grabs our taxpayer money but won’t deliver the product and results we demand and expect for our children.  They like that Kim realizes the new police reform bill is bad for our towns, cities, and for the officers themselves – but excellent for the lawyers who will be paid settlement fees because of this legislation.  They like that Kim supports zoning to be managed locally, not from Hartford.  They like that Kim supports fixing the enormous State financial problems so that we can attract and retain businesses.  We face serious issues, and we need voices in Hartford that won’t conform to the current political majority opinions and positions that will steamroll over our towns.  

We need to challenge and change the status quo in Hartford.  Kim will shake it up.  She will fight against these bad policies and in support of you and me.  She is smart, thoughtful, and will listen to you.  Like many, I will join you in support of Kim Healy for State Senator.  We need knowledgeable and experienced representation in Hartford for better, more accountable government.

Todd Lavieri

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Editor:

It’s an election year, and while a certain amount of hyperbole and exaggeration is to be expected, 2020 is different.  The outright lies emanating from the national stage are grotesque and frightening.  We would hope that such behavior would not permeate our state and local politics, and indeed, Fairfield County Republican candidates are trying to distance themselves from the rhetoric and behavior of their national party.  Their words and actions, however, belie them.

Like their national party, the Republicans – apparently lacking in any solid plans to improve Connecticut – merely attack their Democratic opponents and recycle old arguments that have been rejected time and again.  Take, for instance, their insistence that school regionalization is a true threat again this year, and that Senators Will Haskell and Alex Kasser, and State Representative Lucy Dathan – all of whom vociferously opposedschool regionalization – will surely vote forit now.  As they stated when they rejected proposed regionalization measures in 2019, Haskell, Kasser, and Dathan recognize that our schools are the lifeblood of our communities, and that regionalization is neither the money saver nor integrator that its proponents claim it to be.  Nothing has changed since then.  More presciently, they know that our schools are a main driver of families moving here in the wake of the pandemic.  There is simply no logical or legitimate reason to mess with our schools, and Haskell, Kasser and Dathan know that.

The same is true regarding the Republicans’ ridiculous and unsubstantiated insistence that Haskell, Kasser and Dathan support removing control of local zoning decisions from towns.  Families are moving here in droves for the space and privacy that our towns provide.  Furthermore, the towns our legislators represent largely comply with existing law regarding affordable housing.  Contending that our legislators would threaten more regulation on this front, or render our towns less attractive to families eager to move here, has no basis in reality and is nothing more than fear mongering.

In this most critical of election years, I wish we could discuss actual issues facing our state instead of wasting time re-arguing those that have been soundly rejected. With critical Supreme Court precedent threatened, health care, reproductive freedom and marriage equality, among other things, will fall to state legislatures to protect. Connecticut’s roads and bridges need repairs; its finances need work.  While Republicans do little more than point fingers and criticize past mistakes, Democrats have actually started implementing plans to right the ship. They’ve earned the chance to continue what they’ve started.  Let’s look forward, not backwards.  Vote Row A – Senator Will Haskell, Senator Alex Kasser and Representative Lucy Dathan – for Connecticut’s future.

Hilary Ormond

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Fred Wilms is a person of integrity, intellect and civility that New Canaan needs representing it in Hartford. Fred was a diligent advocate for New Canaan while he served as our representative for four years.  His background in finance and his MBA degree served the town well during his tenure. For example, he was instrumental in having a state budget approved that did not raise taxes – an achievement that seems elusive these days – and helped shore up the rainy-day fund – which will be stressed now in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While Fred has been in private life these past two years, he has stayed engaged with New Canaan issues by closely following town discussions on hot issues such as school regionalization, Metro-North service and taxation. I’ve been delighted seeing him at town events where these (and other issues) have been addressed and appreciated his sage input sourced from his finance and government background. He’s remained an asset to the town while not in office – a true gem.

Fred also devotes significant time to protect and help lift up those who need help but sometimes either are reluctant to ask for help or don’t know that help is available. Fred has deep compassion for those suffering from addiction and those with disabilities that translates into action on their behalf.  This world needs more people like Fred who act on their compassion.

If you are looking for a representative who is well-versed in New Canaan local issues and applies a laser focus in representing New Canaan’s interests in Hartford then the choice this November 3 is easy: Fred Wilms for State Representative.

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Michael Mauro

As a registered Republican I want to share my hope that we can find our way back to a civil discourse and respectful exchange of ideas and move away from the divisive and toxic approach of simply discrediting those who have alternative views and who are working to put forward policies and ideas that are designed with the well being of our state and citizens at their core.  I grew up a Reagan Republican and the ideas of America as a place where opportunity would be available when strived for and believing hard work would be rewarded were the themes of optimism and determination that resonated with me and are still with me today.  Today’s politics is too often about bringing down the opposition and scoring points in the shame culture of social media.  I strive to stay respectful and open minded even when politics and policy is the topic.  I have listened to and read Alex Kasser’s policy proposals and find them to be well reasoned and in many ways embracing traditional Republican stances.  Public-private partnerships, budget discipline, avoiding over-taxation along with initiatives to attract and retain business and intellectual talent.  These are ideas that should be heard and debated.  Alex Kasser is putting forth real policy initiatives at a time when long term thinking and disciplined fiscal platforms are the only way to advance and preserve Connecticut .   As we approach this important voting decision please remember your mind is like a parachute, it only works when it is open.

Sincerely

Chris Koppenheffer

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To the Editor,

In November we will all have some big choices to make. One vote that will be easy to cast is our vote for Ryan Fazio for state Senate for New Canaan, Greenwich, and Stamford.

Ryan grew up in Greenwich, studied economics at Northwestern, and returned home to the district to begin his career in renewable energy. He spent his weekends volunteering at a charter school. The past few years he has written extensively about our state’s fiscal issues and possible solutions, was elected to the RTM, volunteered for local organizations and launched his run for the state Senate where he would have the chance to represent his hometown and the 36^th district. As business owners, health care workers, teachers, volunteers, mothers, and residents of this community we support him.

Ryan was endorsed by the Stamford and Greenwich police unions. His opponent supported a bill, the Police Accountability Bill, in its full extent even though her own district police forces had real concerns. Ryan has taken the time to listen to and work with our local forces.

Ryan does not support tolls, a user tax that would hurt the middle class. His opponent was the first to submit a bill imposing tolls in Connecticut. Ryan, on the other hand, looks to tackle the transportation costs in CT that are some of the highest in the country. 

Ryan wants to reduce wasteful spending and reform state employee packages. His opponent was silent while state employees received a 5.5% pay increase while unemployment stood at 10%. She also voted to exempt state employees like herself from a new 0.5% payroll tax. This is all important given that state employees are paid a 28% premium over similar private sector workers in CT.

Ryan supported our schools opening safely this fall. His opponent signed a letter on August 14^th asking Governor Lamont to keep in person schools closed—but never alerted the public of her stance! Kids who are at very low risk from COVID need to be in school with precautions as our local Board of Ed and governor have said.

Ryan understands the state’s finances, which is vital for our state senator. His opponent admitted that she “has no experience in finance.”

Our state legislature has been totally controlled by one party for 32 of 34 years. And our state is ranked among some of the lowest in some important categories. For example-CT is ranked 48^th in the nation for fiscal health, and 47^th in positive business climate. We want to see  more debate, not less and more party balance in Hartford. Ryan’s opponent voted along party lines 96%.

What do we like about Ryan Fazio? A lot.

He represents a generation that our state needs to attract. He knows how to listen and get along with people and work across the aisle. In Hartford, Ryan will be a leader who respects all of his constituents, even those with whom he disagrees. It is very clear to us that in order to get things accomplished in Hartford, we need someone who builds relationships and is able to work side by side his colleagues, not below or above.

We hope you will join us in supporting Ryan Fazio for state Senate on November 3^rd.

New Canaan Women for Fazio
Carol Apuzzo
Emily Bajus
Laurel Carlson
Angela Colabella
Elizabeth Crehan
Elizabeth DeLuca
Jennifer Donovan
Gretchen Gertsen
Susan Goodman
Jill Guzzetti
Erin Hedley
Suzanne Jonker
Pavla Levin
Maureen O’Hora
Lisa Platt
Jen Schaeffer
Sharon Still
Maria Weingarten
Whitney Williams
Heather Wise
Penny Young

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To the Editor:

I am proud to support Kim Healy as the next State Senator of the 26^th District. Kim is the mother of four children and lives in Wilton, where she has been volunteering for years. She is the Treasurer of the Board of the Wilton Library, a volunteer tax preparer for seniors and low-income individuals, and she also sourced materials for masks for Covid-19 first responders.

Kim is an accountant and an auditor, so I trust her to help restore fiscal responsibility in Hartford. She is also a strong supporter of law enforcement and first responders. Her father and brother being police officers taught her just how important police officers are to keeping us all safe. I appreciate how firm she has stood against her opponent’s anti-police bill.

Kim knows that the bill will prevent proactive policing, create massive liabilities for towns and police departments, hurt retention and recruitment, and make our communities less safe. That is why she received the endorsements from the Fraternal Order of the Police and the seven local police unions in the 26th District who support her run.We need Kim’s experience, prudence, and passion more than ever. I enthusiastically support Kim Healy and urge you to vote for her on November 3^rd.

James McLaughlin

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To the Editor:

I am writing to support Kim Healy for Connecticut State Senator. I have been a resident of New Canaan for more than 17 years. I have four children that attend New Canaan Public Schools and have been actively involved in our community, particularly with our youth sports programs, our school, parks & recreation facilities and our school administration.  

I can say with confidence that Kim Healy is the best choice for representation in the State Senate for New Canaan residents. Kim supports issues that will protect our most valued assets, our children and their education. She is against school regionalization and the inevitable overburdening of successful districts like New Canaan with bureaucracy. She wants to improve educational outcomes for at-risk districts.  

Kim also understands that protecting our schools comes with the important benefit of supporting our property values. New Canaan is a crown jewel in Connecticut. Kim will bring to Hartford the same fiscal discipline and strong economic policies that makes New Canaan such a desired community.

Kim will proudly represent New Canaan and bring better leadership to Hartford. It would be a shame to see the same broken politics continue in Hartford. That is why I strongly support Kim Healy for Connecticut State Senator.   

Michael E. Benevento