To The Editor:

It was recently brought to my attention that State Representative, Mitch Bolinsky, voted against the ARPA funds that brought the HVAC funding to the Hawley School, and the recent funds to the Senior Center. Yet, based on Mr Bolinsky’s actions as depicted in The Newtown Bee, the Newtown Patch and his campaign mailers. One would assume that Mr Bolinsky had whole heartedly fought for those funds. Looking into his voting record, I found that Public Act PA-22-118 (HVAC) and PA-24-81 (Senior Center Funds) were both a “no” from Mr Bolinsky on the voting roster.

This discrepancy was brought to light at the Commission on Aging meeting in July, where Mr Bolinsky was asked by one of the Commission members, why he had voted “NO” for the bill that was bringing the funds to the Senior Center. Instead of clearing the record, he went into verbal gymnastics mode, trying to explain the discrepancy.

The voting record of a legislator, is our best measure that we have to determine true representation. Claiming that he knew all along that it was going to pass even with his “NO” vote and then taking credit for its passage is disingenuous. It is also ludicrous for a legislator to vote a certain way while claiming that he/she knew it would go another way. For that matter you can say that for any legislation and present yourself as never being wrong.

We do not need creative explanations for non representation from our leaders in Hartford. We deserve transparency and frankness from our representatives. It is high time for a change in Newtown at the State Representative level. For transparency, forthrightness and effectiveness — Vote Michelle Embree Ku on November 5.

Alex Villamil

Sandy Hook