Letters Of Endorsement

To the Editor:

I don’t know if Mary Ann Jacob was at the debate this week, but if she was, she would have heard George Ferguson acknowledge that the financial problems we face have been 20 years in the making. While Ms Jacob wants to lay the blame on Chris Lyddy [Letter of Endorsement, 10/15/10], her doing so is yet another false claim by the Republicans. Ms Jacob seems to have forgotten that for 20 years we’ve had a Republican governor, and that person proposes the budget and sets the agenda. Chris Lyddy was handed this economic problem when he was elected. He has worked to address it while still maintaining critical services like aid to municipalities and schools and I thank him for that.

While we are talking about false claims, I can’t help but point out Mr Ferguson’s ridiculous accusation at Tuesday’s debate. Mr Ferguson waved a piece of paper in the air claiming it was Chris Lyddy’s campaign literature. It certainly was not. It was a legislative update that my family, and all of Chris’ constituents, received in the spring of 2009. As our state representative, Chris Lyddy sends periodic updates on new laws and their effect on our lives. This was one of those updates. In it, Chris Lyddy did indeed highlight the SustiNet plan. The SustiNet plan established a task force to look at the issue of health care, to investigate options, and to begin planning for how the federal health care legislation will work in Connecticut. This is the kind of long-range planning we need to be prepared and ready. The legislative update also talked about the health care pooling bill. It is truly unfortunate that this bill was vetoed by the governor, as it would have saved money for towns, small businesses, and nonprofits. Mr Ferguson’s complete mischaracterization was unethical and uncalled for. I’m sure Newtown voters agree that we need our elected officials to be people of the highest ethical standards.

As our state representative, Chris Lyddy ensures that we have the important information we need. He keeps us informed and aware of what is going on, through mailers like this, office hours, and other forms of communication. Chris Lyddy knows that his constituents deserve a responsive and accountable government, and he has worked hard to ensure that he is responsive and accountable to us in his first term.

Chris Lyddy has been a refreshing change for Newtown, someone who has the integrity, energy and experience we need in a state representative. I am proud to be voting for him on November 2, and hope you will join me in supporting his reelection.

Maribeth Hemingway

10 Overlook Knoll. Sandy Hook October 20, 2010