Two Republican Legislators Go Unchallenged This Year

By Steve Bigham

Veteran state legislators Julia Wasserman and John Stripp have a combined 18 years of experience in Hartford between them and both are assured a return trip to the state capitol since they are running unopposed in their respective districts.

Mrs Wasserman, seeking a sixth term in the 106th District, joked this week about whether or not she would receive The Bee’s endorsement.

Mr Stripp, looking for a fifth term in the 135th District, worried half-heartedly about “that write in vote.”

For both candidates, there has been little campaigning this year. Instead, they have used the time to continue their work at the state capitol. Both have earned a reputation for their diligence and each serves on some of the House of Representatives most important committees.

Julia Wasserman

When Newtown residents have a question about state government, they usually call on Republican Julia Wasserman, who appears as energetic as ever at age 76. She is the only legislator representing Newtown who actually lives here. Considered to be about as non-political as a politician can get, Mrs Wasserman has earned a reputation for getting things done. She has a keen political sense for the needs of her constituents as well as those state officials who make the tough decisions regarding Newtown.

Most recently, she lobbied state officials to convey 38 acres of land off Commerce Road to the town for one dollar. Originally, the state had proposed to lease the land for a dollar, which would have forced the town to comply with state regulations as it develops the land into a technology park.

“I think you have to set your sights on what is important to the communities that I represent then you work for those,” Mrs Wasserman said. “A lot of times you get your way and there are times when you don’t.”

Mrs Wasserman, who says she is driven by the mere fact that things need to be done, has been a leader in the much-talked-about Fairfield Hills issue. In 1991, she established a task force to study the future uses of the former state mental health hospital. She continues to work closely with town and state officials as negotiations of the purchase of the land continue.

“There are a lot of things that need to be done and Newtown has unique problems. We have Fairfield Hills, we have Garner Correctional, and we have a very unique situation in that we’re growing very fast. There is also the Church Hill Road railroad bridge replacement,” she explained. “If you’re representing Newtown, you have to be on your game. It’s a challenging town.”

Mrs Wasserman, who will return to her seat for her 11th and 12th years, is currently co-chairperson of the influential Program Review and Investigations Committee, known for its roll-up-your-sleeves kind of work and charged with monitoring what goes on in the General Assembly.

“It’s really a high-powered group of people,” noted Mrs Wasserman, who was honored two years ago when town officials named the bypass road through Fairfield Hills “Wasserman Way.”

Topping the list of Wasserman-initiated bills is legislation designed to allow charitable organizations the right to hold onto more of the money they raise rather than pay large sums to auditors. Mrs Wasserman’s efforts were prompted by Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company, which has been forced to pay in excess of $13,000 for audits each time it raises $100,000 or more. Thanks to the help of Mrs Wasserman, audits are no longer required unless the organization raises $200,000 or more.

Mrs Wasserman also led a successful push to get the state to convey to Newtown a 3.6-acre parcel known as Oakview Field. The land, located at the corner of Oakview Road and Wasserman Way, is used for youth soccer and lacrosse.

The state representative from Newtown also led a successful effort for passage of an identity theft bill, which will allow a victim of an identity theft crime to sue the violator for damages. Mrs Wasserman said she pursued the bill after some Newtown residents called to say their Social Security numbers were stolen.

Mrs Wasserman took over the 106th seat from Mae Schmidle 10 years ago after spending nearly 10 years on the Legislative Council. She called it a natural progression.

When not passing laws, Mrs Wasserman can be found at her home raising and showing goats or at her log cabin in Vermont. She also serves on an advisory committee at Columbia University where she and others set policy for public health education.

Mrs Wasserman, who shows no ill effects from her triple bypass surgery nearly two years ago, ranks among the longest serving current members of the state House of Representatives. She admits her decision to seek reelection did not come easy. This past year has been a trying one for the strong-minded state representative. Her husband, Dr Louis Wasserman, died in June of 1999.

The 106th District includes northwest Newtown and most of Bethel.

In 1998, Mrs Wasserman easily defeated her only challenger, Charles Noe of Bethel, who ran as an independent.

 

John Stripp

The 135th District is home to more Kelda Group-owned land (9,431 acres) than any other district in the state, so you can be sure that Weston resident John Stripp has been watching the issue closely. Protecting the Kelda watershed lands from inappropriate development sits on the top of his list of things to do during the next two years.

Last year, the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company (BHC) sold its company to the British water company, Yorkshire, PLC, a subsidiary of Kelda Group for $444 million (including $150 million in debt). BHC’s assets included thousands of acres of open space located mainly in Fairfield County. Mr Stripp is one of numerous town and state officials working hard to ensure that the land remains as open space.

“It’s a two pronged approach. Negotiations are being headed up by Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to determine what the price would be. The state is interested in purchasing portions of the property, as are open space groups and towns,” Mr Stripp explained.

Mr Stripp is also involved in studying of the economics of a public water agency as an alternative approach should negotiations between Kelda and the state fail.

“I’ve been working with BHC for years. The history has been a good one. We worry about the future with a foreign owned company that might be bought out someday. We’re trying to determine what their long-term mission is,” Mr Stripp said. “Kelda has indicated an interest in conserving most of the land, but this issue is too important not to explore an alternative possibility should that approach fail. They’re on healthy footing, but climates do change. We’re trying to preserve the open space for future generations.”

Mr Stripp, who is also vice president of the Bank of Westport, first got involved in politics several years when he filled a vacancy on Weston’s Board of Finance. He spent eight years, including a stint as chairman. He also chaired the town’s Republican Town Committee. Then, after being in a “non-political mode for a while,” he became a member of the Weston Board of Selectmen where he served for eight years. He also served as treasurer for Alice Meyer, his predecessor, who served the 135th District for 17 years. After Mrs Meyer stepped down, Mr Stripp threw his hat in the ring and eventually took over the seat he still holds today.

Mr Stripp currently sits on the Appropriations, Banking and Commerce committees.

The Weston resident has been married to his wife, Judy, for 38 years and the couple has two grown children and three grandchildren.

The 135 District is made up Weston, Easton, Redding and a section of southern Newtown. Some 1,000 Newtown residents live in the 135th District.