Candidates, Voters

Poised For Primary

By John Voket

Everyone including a half-dozen patients waiting to be seen at Kevin’s Community Center were feeling the “Joe-mentum” Wednesday as incumbent US Senator Joe Lieberman breezed in for about an hour to talk about health care initiatives.

Newtown’s free medical clinic catering to under- and uninsured residents was the scene of a hastily arranged campaign stop just days before the Senator goes head-to-head with Fairfield County millionaire Ned Lamont for the Democratic spot on November’s ballot.

Next Tuesday’s Democratic primary also includes gubernatorial candidates Dan Malloy and John DeStefano who are currently serving as mayors in Stamford and New Haven respectively. Mr Malloy’s Lt Governor candidate Mary Messina Glassman and Scott Slifka, Mr DeStefano’s running mate are on the ballot as well.

The highly publicized primary has already inspired a flurry of activity as Newtown’s Registrars of Voters process applications of unaffiliated voters switching to become Democrats, as well as newly-eligible individuals queuing up to participate in next Tuesday’s contest.

The town clerk’s office has also seen a steady stream of residents dropping off absentee ballots for the primary. Town Clerk Cindy Simon said her office will continue to accept the absentee forms through next Tuesday.

According to Registrar LeReine Frampton, nearly 100 former unaffiliated voters have switched to registered Democrats in recent weeks. Contrary to practices in some other states, only registered Democrats can participate in Connecticut’s primary August 8.

“It’s too late for registered Republicans to switch, but unaffiliated and qualified new voters can still register as Democrats up to noon next Monday, August 7,” Ms Frampton told The Bee earlier this week.

Polling Places

The registrars office reminds qualified residents they will have to cast their votes in the proper district polling locations.

District 1 voters will report to the Newtown Middle School gym A; District 2 participants can vote at the Reed School cafeteria; those in District 3-1 will vote in the Head O’ Meadow School art room near the handicapped parking entrance; and District 3-2 polls will be open at the Middle Gate School cafeteria adjacent to the side entrance of the building.

Ms Frampton invites voters to call the registrars’ office at 270-4250 to verify which polling location corresponds to their neighborhood. Anyone calling before or after office hours are asked to leave their name, full street address and phone number on the voicemail system and someone will call back with the proper location.

Registrar Karen Aurelia also reminds residents that no political materials including clothing or buttons with campaign-related information are allowed inside the polling locations. A 75-foot boundary will be clearly marked, and anyone displaying or circulating political messages must stay beyond that marker.

Ms Simon said her office will hold special hours this Saturday, August 5, from 9 am to noon, in order to accept absentee ballots, and to assist any late registrants who are qualified to become Democrats.

Absentee ballots can be mailed or turned in by hand up to the close of polls next Tuesday at 8pm, the Town Clerk said.

Candidiates’ Views

The local visit by Mr Lieberman to the Peck’s Lane offices of Kevin’s Community Center was an opportunity for the Senator to not only ask for support next Tuesday, but a chance for him to tout several health care proposals he supports, including the establishment of a national health plan for small businesses.

“This would be for small businesses one to 100 employees, to buy into a small business pool that would come with the reductions in cost that come to the big businesses,” Sen Lieberman said.

The Senator said he favors a program that would allow those age 55 and over to buy into Medicare on an income-based scale.

“If you retire early and you don’t have retirement benefits, you are in a high risk pool that makes it very hard for you to afford health insurance and probably leaves you uninsured,” Sen Lieberman said.

The Senator took a moment to comment on the number of local voters who have decided to switch to the Democratic party.

“It’s a good sign because it suggests people understand the importance of the vote next Tuesday, he said. “Maybe it will be a sign that there will be more people coming out than most of the experts predict.”

Following the Senator’s visit, Mr Lamont issued a statement through a press liaison saying he was delighted that so many unaffiliated voters are changing their registration in order to vote in the democratic primary.

“People know George Bush is driving this country into a ditch, and they are tired that Joe Lieberman is his co-pilot. If Joe can’t stand up to George Bush, I will,” the challenger said. “Seniority is of no use if you consistently make bad choices, and do not represent the people you serve.”

Touching upon health care issues, Mr LaMont said in a prepared statement that most of the uninsured in America have a family member working full time.

“Employers must demonstrate corporate good citizenship and we need to put in place a way for companies to insure workers without going bankrupt,” Mr Lamont said. “I run a business and provide health care for my workers — and I have lost contracts to companies that do not. Allowing businesses to buy into the federal program used by Congress would provide workers with benefits and assist companies in providing it.”

While the DeStefano campaign failed to respond to The Bee’s request for comments coming into next Tuesday’s primary, his challenger Mr Malloy responded by email honing in on property tax and education financing reform. On July 20, Mr Malloy introduced Phase One of a tax reform plan which his statement says focuses on creating a more equitable, progressive system of taxation, necessary to address the state’s over-reliance on property taxes.

Specifically, he points out, phase one seeks to de-link property taxes and education funding; provide property tax relief for seniors of low and modest income; and make the state’s tax system more progressive and fair.

 “If the people of Connecticut were tasked today with designing a tax structure to pay for local government, to pay for education, to support our senior citizens, this current system is not the one we would choose,” Mr Malloy wrote. “Why then should we continue to suffer under it? Phase one of my plan takes bold measures to create a more fair and equitable tax structure. It will give local municipalities, like Newtown, the breathing room they so desperately need.”

Polls will be open next Tuesday from 6 am to 8 pm. For information on absentee ballots, call the Town Clerk’s office at 270-4210.