To the Editor:

I’m Mitch Bolinsky, Newtown’s four-term State Representative, a position I have had the honor of earning and holding for eight years.

Last week’s Bee and News-Times included a letter with allegations of my being a failure to the BIPOC community. It was a disrespectful, veiled attempt to paint me as a racist by the campaign manager of a political adversary.

The author insisted there was nothing political or mean-spirited about his motives for challenging the heart and record of a successful, accomplished, deeply caring public servant. If so, why didn’t he disclose his role in an opposition campaign?

You be the judge.

I’m saddened when some condemn all Americans, especially Newtowners, for actions of a few highly visible racists or fringe hate-groups. We’re Newtown. I like to believe we know better than others that what lurks in the minds of some doesn’t live in the hearts of most. I believe we’re a society of great intentions and can accomplish anything, together.

Can we eliminate all hate in the world? I don’t think so, but I try to, everyday, individually and collectively.

I believe in the Constitutional principle of equality. We haven’t always applied it as intended, but rather than erasing history, I prefer to learn it and teach our children, so past mistakes aren’t repeated.

“Never again” are more powerful words than hurling insults.

I’ve been asked for examples of those I help. (My record is more comprehensively viewed at mitchfornewtown.com/mitchs-record; and space limits a complete list, however, my advocacy has no limits by race, creed, color, religion, or whom someone chooses to love.)

*Hundreds abandoned by CT Department of Labor

*Small businesses, including women/minority-owned ignored by Department of Economic Community Development

*Senior citizens

*Disabled folks

*Teachers concerned about classroom violence

*The wrongly incarcerated, now allowed to introduce new evidence

*Special Ed families denied Free Appropriate Public Education rights

*Autistic/dyslexic students

*Battered/abused women

*Alzheimer’s sufferers & families

*Intellectually/developmentally delayed persons

Regarding my no vote on SB-380; the original bill, AAC Mental Health, Wellness Training & Suicide Prevention for Police Officers wasn’t the bill on which I voted no. My vote was on a “strike-all”, altered SB-380, never deliberated in the Senate but sneaked into a “Consent Calendar,” hidden amongst “non-controversial bills.”

I voted no to the “strike-all”; 65 House Members did. Why?

*It was created behind closed doors with no a public hearing.

*Reporting was vague & too unclear to enforce.

*It’s an unfunded mandate without funding for bodycams, an essential component I support.

*I liked the original.

There are explanations for everything, but no more room for excuses. The “Great American Experiment” can only succeed with reasonable conversation. Let’s all stop yelling and do more listening so we can create the supportive, peaceful, equitable, thriving nation and communities we all deserve.

I wish you a peaceful, celebration of our nation’s 244th birthday. We’re not yet a perfect union but, we’re the greatest example of good intentions and representative democracy the world has ever seen. We can be better, working together.

State Representative Mitch Bolinsky

3 Wiley Lane, Newtown July 1, 2020