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In need of barriers
I am a state certified election moderator who has moderated at Foran High, JFK, Orange Avenue and Meadowside Schools in Milford and also at the Seth G Haley School in West Haven. Thirty-three years ago, I served as a Special Assistant Registrar, doing door to door registering. For many years I have volunteered as an observer for state mandated post election audits throughout Connecticut.
My concern is that because the Secretary of State didn't strongly suggest or mandate the installation of Plexiglas panels "barriers" at polling stations throughout the state, many municipalities such as Milford choose not to purchase or use them.
Some cities and towns such as Cheshire, Stamford, and Glastonbury are using the Plexiglas panels as an added protection barrier. Glastonbury purchased 28 Plexiglas barriers to be attached to poll workers' tables at a cost of $140.00 each to be used at six of their polling locations. Glastonbury stated that these Plexiglas panels will be reused in future elections or other functions and is worth the investment.
Most of the poll workers like me are senior citizens, therefore more at risk for contracting Covid-19. Milford is supplying face shields; face masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. Milford is not installing Plexiglas panels at the poll worker's tables although Milford does use them for many other city departments employee protection. The main entrance of the Milford Parsons Complex is an example.
Almost all of the poll workers will spend at least 14 hours to 16 hours confined to the polling location space not knowing if any of the voters is Covid-19 positive. I feel it is the municipalities' responsibility to provide all available options to protect the dedicated poll workers and the voters on Election Day. They deserve no less.
Can face shields do the same job as Plexiglas "sneeze" panels? Absolutely not! The Plexiglas panels provide a barrier to maintain the 6ft distance that election officials try to enforce. Also, the panels are called a sneeze barrier because any broadcast particles are blocked from hitting the work services, face shields, and other PPE equipment. Checker books, pencils, etc. would also be protected along with ballots at the ballot clerks table. Please keep in mind, the poll-workers are sitting, and the voting public is standing; therefore providing a perfect storm for broadcasting air-born droplets.
A recent FOX 61 News interview with Milford's Registrar's of Voters revealed the fact that if a voter challenges the mask requirement; that mask-less voter will be allowed to vote. This new development only gives more credence to having Plexiglas"sneeze" panels' installed. Please call your Mayor, First Selectman, or Town Manager and voice your concerns. I will probably never be called again to serve as a Milford Election Moderator because of this letter, So be it. I must speak out and make a stand for what I believe is safe for Connecticut poll-workers and the voting public.
William "Skip" Ziebell
Vote Welander
When electing someone to represent you, shouldn't you ask yourself "What have you done for me lately?"
Themis Klarides' recent "column", which was really a letter to the editor, touts Dan DeBarba's resume. Despite his titles, what did he actually accomplish for people versus corporations? His allegiances are where the Republican Party is, corporate America over the people of America.
You have a clear choice in this election. Mary Welander has already "done" for you. Mary has been looking out for the residents of Orange and Connecticut as a Board of Education member, town volunteer, and member of Sandy Hook Promise. Mary Welander puts our interests first, not the corporate dollar. She volunteers and is running for the right reasons — not for accolades but to help people. I urge you to make the right choice for Orange, Derby and Woodbridge as well as the future of the state of Connecticut and vote for Mary Welander, State Representative 114th district.
Jody Dietch
Support for DeLauro
Connecticut kids are lucky that they have a leader in Congress who cares about them by ensuring they have food to start and finish the day. No stomach aches from missed meals, no class disruptions due to empty bellies, no failed tests from low concentration. Our hardest-hit communities have a nutrition program that brings in needed dollars while feeding their residents through SNAP. Who fights for these programs? Rosa.
When I was the executive director of End Hunger Connecticut!, the statewide anti-hunger advocacy organization we worked with Rosa; she was and remains an advocate for those in need. Her work for those who are food insecure is incalculable.
Rosa's consistently at the forefront, speaking out, supporting, and fighting to ensure there is access to food and nutrition programs. SNAP, Summer Meals, School Breakfast, and Supper Programs help kids and families succeed, and Rosa was instrumental in making them happen and increasing their reach.
She is committed to giving the needed tools to succeed, and it is personal. I watched Rosa hand out meals from the New Haven summer meal truck to kids who engaged her in conversation. At school breakfast sites she talked to teachers and kids about how the program increased students' attentiveness and readiness to learn. At the grocery store, she listened to grocers about how SNAP brings food to people and jobs to the neighborhood. It's clear Rosa is about giving everyone the tools they need to be successful. She cares.
The need for food is greater now, more than ever. These food programs were in place and are helping families now. Rosa worked for us to be prepared. Rosa's foresight and her continued fight against those who would like to cut these programs make them possible. We need Rosa's voice in Washington.
Lucy Nolan
Short on deeds
Could you be so kind as to list what Joe Biden has done in his past 47 years in politics to make this country better rather than what is claimed he will do since actions speak louder than words. Surely there must be one for every 4 years - rounded would be a dozen?
Vote Fishbein
I am sending you this letter in support of Craig Fishbein's campaign for re-election. I have known Craig for many years, both personally and professionally as Wallingford Town Clerk. He is a friend, and one that I know I can always turn to for reliable information or advice. Craig does his homework and is prepared. He is principled, and seeks government processes that are efficient, practical, and fiscally prudent for the taxpayers. I wish all of our elected officials were like Craig. I hope that you and your readers join me in supporting him for another term in our legislature.
Mary Welander is running for State Representative for the 114th District which serves Derby, Orange and Woodbridge. Mary brings a commitment to improving the quality of life to all citizens and small businesses of these communities. As a member of the Orange Board of Education and Sandy Hook Promise her commitment to quality education and a safe school environment is unprecedented. Her experience is even more critical during this time of Covid-19 when parents, school administrators and teachers are striving to balance education and safety in unchartered waters.
Mary is married and the mother of three children. All her children attend school in Orange. She is the daughter of an educator and small business owner; and the sister of three combat veterans. Mary understands the importance of public service firsthand. Her sole goal is to service the people and businesses of Derby, Orange and Woodbridge. She will not be blinded by political ambition which have left the 114th district without proper representation in the past.
Mary's goals are to rebuild the economy of our three towns beyond the pre-pandemic level safely; protect our residents and workers in our nursing homes/assisted living centers; ensure everyone has access to quality and affordable health care; work to lower prescription drug costs; protect our environment; and provide the support needed by our Healthcare and Public Safety Professionals.
Mary has received many endorsements due to her proven track record and work ethic for the community. Some of these endorsements include: Senator Chris Murphy; the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of CT; Working Families; and Moms Demand Action just to name a few.
I am a former elected official of Orange and community service volunteer that strongly endorses Mary and I hope you will support her on November 3rd. Thank you.
Joseph Marulli
There are many reasons why we are endorsing Rosa DeLauro for reelection to Congress. One such example is her very recent co-sponsorship of House Resolution 1110 in support of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates as well as with Bahrain. Her continued support for Israel and her dedication to keeping Israel strong in the pursuit of a two state solution is also very much appreciated. Her support of the greater Jewish community and her ongoing efforts to combat hate, especially antisemitism, is also critically important as is her dedication to social justice and the welfare of all individuals.
Sydney Perry, New Haven
Michael Price, Chester
Milton Wallack, Branford
When former Democratic Congresswoman Elizabeth Etsy failed to address her Chief of Staff threatening to kill another staff member in 2018, State Rep. Dave Yaccarino supported Etsy's decision not to seek re-election, explaining to the Yale Daily News, "You can't advocate for rights for folks, especially women, and then let this happen and not do anything about it".
This past summer, when it came out that GOP party chairman JR Romano knew about a video of Thomas Gilmer, the Republican party's endorsed candidate for the 2nd congressional district, brutally attacking, choking, and attempting to suffocate his ex-girlfriend but stayed silent, Yaccarino remained silent on calls for Romano's resignation. Worse, Yaccarino's closest ally Senator Len Fasano weakly explained that Romano's failure to push for Gilmore to drop out of the race was satisfactory because he had merely known that the video existed, but had not seen it himself, according to the Stamford Advocate. Romano was apparently not preoccupied enough about it to investigate the matter further. Fasano also commended Romano for talking about the allegations with Gilmer. Talking, not pushing him to withdraw from the race. He added in defence of his party's leadership, "Vetting by the chairman even whether it's a local town chairman or it is a state party chairman, I think there is an obligation for some due diligence but you can't go too far".
Hours before the state primary, Gilmer was arrested once his primary opponent finally submitted the video to the police. While Dave Yaccarino posts about October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month online, as House Republican Minority Whip, his silence on Romano's incredible leadership failure is deafening.
North Haven needs representation that actually puts principles before party. Representation that will condemn egregious behavior across the board — not only according to which party it occurs in.
Jacqueline Cotier
Mike Southworth,
I am an apolitical person, but I read with interest your flyer re: Mr. Maroney and PPE. I always tried to teach my staff and children to understand that it behooves them not to "bash the competition". One is respected by showing a prospective client/customer/voter what he himself or she herself can do/has done, as opposed to entering the cesspool and muckraking/mudslinging. The former may be challenging, but the latter is easy, and the coward's way out.
I suggest, sir, that you consider the position of your party's leader who consciously and deliberately decided not to implement mechanisms available to him which would have gone a long way to ensure that hospitals and medical professionals had the PPE necessary to protect themselves and their patients. People died because of this. I therefore respectfully suggest that you find another way to sling mud.
And, please remove me from your mailing list. Thank you.
Keith Indeck
I support Marc Riccio for Branford State Representative. He recognized the flawed Police Accountability Law passed with the removal of a portion of all citizens' 4th Amendment rights, defunding police from federal equipment and the exposure to our town and individual officers of being sued in state courts without legal protection as it is in federal court. Also the million of dollars it will cost the taxpayers to correct all the errors.
Reminder that all first responders exhibit bravery and guts everyday.
Marc also understands that parents send their children to a school system where they have a voice and there is a high quality of education. That is why Marc opposes the regionalization of our school system with surrounding towns.
Marc, as a small business owner and a veteran RTM member, acknowledges that Connecticut is ranked 47th in the nation on taxing small businesses. A vital life lines to a strong economy. Finally, Marc recognizes that our state government give an extremely small annual amount of financial support back to Branford. Hence with several bills to drain Branford's money for other communities, Marc understands this very dangerous precedent.
For these and numerous other reasons I support Marc and urge all Branford citizens to carefully review their voting options. Marc is truly a Branford voice in Hartford.
Ret. Police Lt. Stanley William Konesky Jr.
Before I start the purpose of this letter, I want to make it clear that I am not affiliated with any political party. I have voted for candidates from both parties in local, state and national elections. That being said, I will now get to the point of this letter. I feel the Democratic Party, in reality, is truly trying to get Kamala Harris to be the first woman president of America. This is how I see them going about it. Let's say Biden should win the election for president. Being that, it seems, his mentality is fading when he cannot remember what he is talking about or, when he calls Arizona a city and made other blunders when making a speech without the help of a prompter. The Democratic Party, after Biden is in office for about six months to a year, will declare that he is having some health problems and have him resign as President. Thus Vice Pres. Harris will become the first woman president of America. I am not against a woman being president but it is not to my liking to see a socialist, which in fact is actually communism, running this country. This country has been a democracy for 244 years. In those 244 years it has been the most successful country in the world. People from all nations in the world seek to come to America.
Like I said earlier in this letter, I am not against a woman being president, I would like to see a woman run for president who was like the woman Governor we had in Connecticut years ago, Ella Grasso. A woman like her, I feel, would make a great president. Find a woman like her and I would support her for president.
I have one thing to say to those of you who feel socialism is so great. Why not go to Russia, China, or better yet to North Korea and live among the common people to see what socialism, also known as communism, is like for about 10 years. God help us if Biden and Harris should be elected, oops sorry I mentioned the word God. Now that is a no, no, to socialist which the far left Democrats are, like Sanders, AOC and the rest of them. They will make it hard, if not ban the right to worship as you please all together. They already want to abolish the Second Amendment along with the First Amendment to the Constitution. The way they are going, if power is given to them, they will want to tell you how to live your life.
As you can tell, this time I will be voting Republican this election and I do not care what the far left Democrats think, I still say God help America. Thank you for letting me vent and express my views this election even though the New Haven Register is pro-Democrat.
Frank Gargano
"For me, the ability to vote means more than words. To vote is to experience freedom. It's the opportunity to influence our community, which I had been denied for the first 20 years of my life before legally immigrating to the United States in 1992. After earning the privilege to vote, I have always exercised it. I genuinely believe that I can make a difference and that each vote counts.
This election, we must choose the best possible leaders. People like Weston Ulbrich, who is running for the 85th District, have always inspired me. Real leaders focus their energy, education and experience on community needs and what they can do for others. We also need change in Connecticut. Knowing him for six years I strongly believe Wes, who is not a career politician, will serve our state's interest to the best of his ability!"
Vladimir Y. Dolynuk
Higganum