Assembly District Candidates Square Off

At The Bee’s Debate

By Shannon Hicks

The two candidates vying for the seat of State Representative for the 106th District — Democratic incumbent Chris Lyddy and Republican George Ferguson — and the two candidates vying for the seat to represent Connecticut’s 112th District — Republican incumbent DebraLee Hovey and her Democratic challenger Michele Mount — met on the stage of Edmond Town Hall on Tuesday, October 19, for The Newtown Bee’s 2010 Candidates’ Debate.

Chris Lyddy plans to return to Hartford for another two-year term representing the 106th, but George Ferguson came out swinging Tuesday night, waiting less than 40 seconds into what was to have been an opening statement to issue the evening’s first challenge.

“You will hear a lot of rhetoric tonight, but the fact is,” said Mr Ferguson, “Chris Lyddy hasn’t done the job for Newtown.”

Just a few minutes earlier, Mr Lyddy had opened the evening with his statement, saying he is “eager to continue fighting for and serving Newtown.” He is “energized,” he said, as he reaches the conclusion of his first term, which included the passing of legislation that positively affected jobs, public health services, and the environment.

“I am determined to keep the torch lit and to fight for Newtown,” he said. “Newtown deserves someone energetic, somebody in touch with the residents of Newtown. I am proud of the first two years I have served and I will continue to focus on the issues.”

Mr Ferguson, in return, opened by promising to “put the interests of Newtown first. I will fight against unfunded mandates … and property taxes.

“Chris has fought for others in the state,” he said, bringing the challenge to the floor. “I will fight for those who live in Newtown.”

Moderator Curtiss Clark, the editor of The Newtown Bee, posed questions to the group and then rotated the order of the answers. Questions and topics for discussion had been solicited from constituents of the two assembly districts in the weeks leading up to the forum.

For those who turned out Tuesday night, it was the rare opportunity to see four candidates going at it politely, with very strong undertones of contention and challenge. During the course of the 90-minute program, which had been preceded by an informal meet-and-greet with the candidates, there were accusations of “selective hearing,” of responses coming “from the Republican playbook,” an encouragement of “let’s just stick to the facts,” and even a moment where one candidate said, “I don’t know what teabag you’re putting in your cup, my friend, but you might want to change it.”

The Economy Is The Issue

In response to the evening’s first question, the candidates all agreed that the preeminent issue of the current campaign is the economy, although Mr Lyddy also included his pursuit of accountability in his answer. They were queried on their position of the state’s educational funding partnership with Newtown, what they are doing or will do to reduce the state’s deficit, and how each feels about the possibility of reducing state aid to municipalities in the interest of making cuts somewhere in order to cut expenses.

The candidates were also asked what they feel can be done to spur the economy, and how jobs can be attracted into Connecticut instead of allowing the “brain drain” — or the exodus the state continues to see of graduates leaving the state for better-paying jobs and more affordable living after receiving a top-notch education — to continue.

“The governor’s office, in November, will set forth an agenda, and I will support that agenda,” Mr Lyddy said.

“Unfortunately, George Ferguson has already said he would go back to 2008 budget levels, which will be a 4.2 percent loss to education levels alone,” he added.

In looking at the overall economy of Connecticut, Mr Lyddy said he feels it is important “that we continue to pass legislation with incentives for large companies and small companies. It’s crucial that we get out of our own way.

“We’ve hit rock bottom,” he added, “but we’re starting to look up and that’s a promising sign.”

Mr Ferguson said Connecticut must return to the point of being able to compete with other states.

“We can no longer do that, and we must return to that level,” he said. “People are very concerned that this economy will never recover. We need to reduce the burden of government.”

DebraLee Hovey, who is hoping to be elected for a fifth term on November 2, proudly offered her voting attendance record during her opening statement, which was 97 percent last year and 90 percent this year. She explained that this year’s numbers would have been higher, but her daughter was a senior at Newtown High School and had a number of graduation events this past spring.

“I did not want to miss any of those memories,” she said, before highlighting her record of consistently working on a balanced budget, reduction of government, and accountability of government.

Michele Mount later responded, “If I have to, I will miss my son’s prom [if bills or other important events call her to Hartford]. I will always make the choice for the people. When I am being paid, I will be in Hartford.”

 “I am against mandates and hidden taxes,” Ms Hovey said. “I am constant, diligent, consistent, and effective. I serve the citizens of the 112th. I am humbled, honored to do it. I am always available to you. I listen to you and I take your voice to Hartford.”

“We have to stop relying on property taxes,” said Ms Mount. “It’s not fair to the taxpayers. I am an education advocate,” she continued, “and we have to find a better way to fund education.”

When it was their turn to answer the question about the state deficit, the women again had very different points of view.

“We also need to restrict bonding to keep debt service below ten percent of the budget,” Ms Hovey said. “Connecticut has money. We just have a problem with our credit cards. We keep spending way over budget.”

Her challenger countered.

“We have a revenue problem. We absolutely have one, and we have to address that,” said Ms Mount. “We need to make it so that people can afford to live here.”

After about 75 minutes Mr Clark offered a final “question,” which served as an opportunity for each person to best explain why he or she felt best suited to represent Newtown and, in the case of the 112th District, part of Monroe.

Chris Lyddy said his ability work with all parties is one of his best assets.

“My ability to reach across the aisle to get the job done is most representative of why I can take care of this community,” he said.

His challenger, Mr Ferguson, said, “I am representative of Newtown,” citing his current and former positions on the town’s Conservation Commission, Inland-Wetlands Commission, and Legislative Council, as well as being a husband, father, homeowner, and taxpayer.

“I have been putting back into Newtown for many years and I will continue to do so,” said Mr Ferguson. “In 12 years I haven’t seen things get better. I’m energetic, and I want to make things better.”

For the 112th District, DebraLee Hovey pointed out that she has supported legislation “to make sure our natural resources are managed … small business is taken care of … [and] I voted for fast tracking of permitting for companies who are looking to move into Connecticut, so they don’t get bogged down in five or six years of paperwork.”

Citing the layoff of her husband, with no health insurance, Michele Mount simply said, “I understand your struggles. I want to be your voice in Hartford.”

Probate Judge Candidate Appearances

To open the evening, statements were offered by Democratic probate contender and attorney Timothy Holian of Newtown and GOP candidate Joseph Egan, who currently serves as Ridgefield’s judge of probate.

Judge Egan had been selected to go first, and he opened his personal statement by reminding the audience that he has already served as a judge of probate for more than two decades.

“I have adhered to my oath of office more than 20 years, and I will continue to do the same” if elected, he said. “Organization and delegation,” he said, will be the key to the new court, which will represent the residents of Newtown, Bethel, Redding, and Ridgefield as the state-mandated regionalization of local probate courts continues.

“Most of the work will be administrative in nature … and some may be concerned,” he continued, “but as I see it the new court will be as effective as [probate has always been]. This is a very serious job. Qualifications and experience should be important.…We are entrusted with the care of those who cannot care for themselves. As Probate Judges we have taken on an extraordinary duty and we must not fail.”

After admitting it would be hard to follow someone who has 20 years experience, Mr Holian used his statement to reiterate what he has promised voters from the beginning of his campaign.

“With my new position I will give up my law practice,” he said, while emphasizing that much of that practice has been focused on probate matters.

“There are 78,000 people in the newly created probate district, and there will be a full-time salary paid to the new judge,” Mr Holian said. “I think this position should be filled by someone who puts forth a full-time effort.

“That,” he said, “is precisely what I plan to do.”