Senatorial Candidate Thinks Newtown Residents

Should ‘Dump Dodd’

By Larissa Lytwyn

Senatorial candidate Jack Orchulli of Darien believes that Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd’s 24-year Senate career has placed him outside the “real world” for too long.

“I believe that after a certain number of years, it is time to move forward, or move on,” Mr Orchulli said during his visit to Newtown’s transfer station on August 28.

The humid Saturday morning marked the self-described “underdog” candidate’s third visit to Newtown since accepting his party’s nomination to challenge Sen Dodd on May 8. Since then, Mr Orchulli has been aggressively campaigning throughout Connecticut, holding rallies and similar events in towns from Torrington to Hartford.

“Do you see Sen Dodd here today?” Mr Orchulli asked at his Newtown transfer station stop, gesturing pointedly to the long line of residents waiting to dispose of their trash and recyclables.

Mr Orchulli’s campaign manager, John Healey, said that Sen Dodd has been relying primarily on name recognition rather than going out and “meeting the people.”

Mr Healey said the campaign had made stops at several Connecticut transfer stations because it is an ideal setting to meet people and pass out information.

Though an unaffiliated voter for decades, Mr Orchulli made the decision to become a Republican a few years ago in part because the GOP better represented his values of fiscal responsibility. He is a strong advocate of lowering taxes.

“We only get 65 cents on every one dollar sent to Washington, D.C.,” said Mr Orchulli.

If that 65-cent figure was raised by only two cents, he said, Connecticut residents could enjoy a significantly lower tax burden.

Mr Orchulli emphasizes that while Sen Dodd’s campaign relies “heavily on special interest money,” his is self-financed.

In addition to grassroots support from Connecticut residents, Mr Orchulli said he has received assistance from political consultant Ed Rollins, who managed Ronald Reagan’s 1984 reelection campaign and former New Jersey governor Christine Whitman’s 1993 election.

Another major concern Mr Orchulli discussed was the congestion on major Connecticut roadways, particularly I-95 and stretches of I-84.

“I also have concerns about the train system we have here in Connecticut,” he said. “Some cars are over 30 years old. Service rates are at their highest.”

Mr Orchulli also supports environmental conservation, initiates to improve air quality and more federal funding to local school districts.

He believes “local schools must be allowed to craft local solutions” to meet high educational standards.

“I am also a strong advocate of increasing homeland security dollars for Connecticut,” Mr Orchulli noted, citing the Constitution state’s proximity between New York and Boston.

Mr Orchulli is a major advocate of utilizing American resources whenever possible.

Mr Orchulli greeted approximately 300 potential voters at the transfer station.

Legislative Councilman Richard Recht and wife Carol, who is chairman of the Republican Town Committee, were among a group of local votes who came to the transfer station to show their support for Mr Orchulli.

“I really believe that Sen Dodd has gotten too comfortable,” said Mr Recht. “It’s time for a change.”