To The Editor,

The statement in the subject article: “There were no calls for specific reductions or other changes to the budget plan …” is absolutely NOT TRUE.  I attended the meeting and made specific line item recommendations to reduce about $13,000 in the budget.  These reductions, in my opinion, would have had no impact on the services provided by the town.

Sincerely,

Phil Beckman
Ivoryton, CT

To The Editor:

Last weekend, our beloved Welsh Terrier, Jaynie,  Houdinied herself out of our parked car. I watched in horror as she rocketed down Main Street. Her little ears were flapping   joyfully in the wind. The bubble over her head must have read something like, “Yippee, I am free and on my way to mess with those River Museum ducks.”

Fortunately, one of Essex’s finest passed by in his patrol car.  With officer Belcourt’s guidance and a neighbor’s agility, Jaynie was scooped-up and returned to her grateful parents. Later on, I began thinking about our first responders and how lucky we are to have their help and protection. I will never forget the letter on your online news written by Jerry Wilson. Jerry was writing to thank officer Kenafick for responding to his call to Town Hall asking for help with a fallen tree. Officer Kenafick arrived on the scene and equal to Paul Bunyan lifted the tree off the driveway.

Of course small issues lead to the big issues. How do these men and women and all our first responders do what they do? When they get that 911 call, they never know exactly what is on the other end.  First responders to fires, car crashes, natural disasters, domestic violence, robberies, medical emergencies and more are heroes. They seem to have something extra in their DNA.  Maybe it’s “Grit” that allows this special breed to remain cool, dedicated and brave under unimaginable circumstances.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the first responders, not only for the warm and fuzzy thing that they do, but for their extreme bravery under extreme pressures.  I write with my deepest respect for these men and women.

Sincerely,

Alison Nichols, M.Div., Essex CT

To the Editor:

I am scratching my head in wonderment over President Obama’s Inaugural address in which he pledged to address the “threat of climate change.” Why now? The economy is shrinking. Seven million people are poised to lose their health insurance under Obama Care. Unemployment, underemployment and those no longer looking for employment is a real crisis in America. And our President is focused on a hoax created by the UN. Perhaps now that Obama is sinking in the polls, he will, in his State of the Union address to the nation, focus on the real issues facing America.

Obama knows that “climate change” is a giant hoax. John Kerry, the new “climate-change” secretary of state, knows it is a hoax. And yes, the guy who has made gobs of money perpetuating the false beliefs surrounding the hoax, the king of carbon-credits, Al Gore, also knows it’s a hoax. Not only has Gore’s book (An Inconvenient Truth) been used in schools to indoctrinate our kids and grandkids, but this giant hypocrite has just raked in one hundred million dollars from oil monies after claiming that fossil fuel is the culprit in “climate change.” The inconvenient truth is that the earth’s climate has been warming, cooling and dramatically changing from the beginning of time. For goodness sake, the plague in 1867 is blamed on weather. Chinese sea captains reported melting ice caps as far back as 1434. Mega earthquakes and Tsunamis as well as blizzards, “raging fires, crippling droughts, powerful storms,” horrific tornadoes and scorching heat waves have also been around since antiquity.

Thankfully, a majority of Americans are no longer drinking the climate cool- aid passed out by liberal/progressives, or better “UNers.” We are beginning to ferret-out the truth that this hoax was created by the UN to gain power to itself. The plan was conceived in 1987 as a means to achieve “Global Government” through a manufactured crisis. Who can forget the words of Obama’s former chief of staff, the present mayor of Chicago, who said, “never let a crisis go to waste.”   We have been duped. All the over-arching rules and regulations have been used to force citizens to obey a doctrine that is fallacious.

The creators of the giant hoax, the UN and its sycophants, realized, brilliantly I might add, that its Agenda, that openly targets private property with oppressive regulations, had to be established on a local level first. That said, it is up to each of us to discern if our local boards, commissions and legislature are loaded with “UNers.” Are those serving selflessly performing their civic duties and looking out for the citizens of their towns and districts- or is their agenda the UN Agenda? Our founders were counting on ordinary citizens to speak out to protect our rights.

I wonder, do “We the People” of our great nation really want to be manipulated by the UN? Do we care that this UN invasion into our country will ultimately strip away our freedoms? Do we care that “global warming” hype, “climate change” hype and “rising sea levels” hype is a sinister means of enforcing the idea that the collective takes a front seat to individual rights? Inherent in this idea is the belief that the government can “plan” our lives better than the individual.

Liberal/progressives have very effectively demonized and dismissed the canaries in the coal mine as whacky, paranoid conspiracy theorists. No, the canaries understand that the invasion of the UN agenda has ushered in “a long train of abuses and usurpations” that the Constitution warned would threatened our Freedom and Liberty.

Many Americans watched Paul Harvey’s stellar tribute to our Farmers delivered in a commercial at the Super Bowl.  Have you heard the recording of Harvey’s prescient “warning for a nation” delivered in 1965? It is entitled, “If I Were the Devil.” Please, google it!

Sincerely,

Alison Nichols,
Essex, CT

To the Editor:

Sandy Hook School is an earthquake that shakes the soul of human decency. My response:

I acknowledge the right to have a hunting rifle and a pistol for self-defense.  The right to self-defense is a root of liberty. Equally important is a coincident right of people who choose not to own a gun: the right to live in a safe and secure society. This right is an indisputable expectation. While I realize this is an ideal that will be difficult to fulfill, we must, for the sake of human decency, respect, and compassion, strive to create such a society. To not strive for this goal is disrespectful and inconsiderate to all people who want to live in peace.

My proposal to create an environment that begins to lead our society down this path is as follows:

1. A gun is not sporting equipment. To equate a gun to sports is akin to saying it is no different than a tennis racquet or basketball. This is an insult to humanity. There is no comparison because their designed purposes are so different – fun and games versus a killing implement.

2. Any weapon that is capable of firing multiple rounds in rapid succession should be outlawed to anyone other than military, law enforcement or security personnel. No one in a civil society should have such a weapon, for its sole designed purpose is to kill. For hunting and self-defense there should be no need for anything more than a single-shot pistol or rifle.

3. Any weapon that uses multiple round magazines or any type of device that loads more than six bullets at a time should be outlawed. Reasons stated in item 2.

4. Anyone caught in possession or ownership of these outlawed weapons and ammunition would be in violation of the law and should be punished with extensive community service or imprisonment.

5. Anyone who currently owns such weapons described in item 2 should be paid to turn them in. They should not be grandfathered.

6. Extensive background checks should apply to 100% of sales in any form for the purchase of legal pistols and rifles.

7. A permit is required to fish. A permit should be required to purchase ammunition.

8. Internet sale of any weapon and ammunition should be illegal.

I urge everyone with a strong opinion on this subject to voice their opinion to their representatives and senators. Time is of the essence. Do not let this moment and these memories fade.

Sincerely,

Thomas Soboleski
Essex, CT

To the editor:

At the height of Hurricane Sandy, the apple tree in our fron yard blew down, blocking access to Spring Street. As instructed by the Chester town website, we called the Fire Department. They were just amazing – they arrived in less than five minutes and in driving rain and fierce wind cleared the road in under ten minutes.

Everybody should take a minute to thank a firefighter today. I’m so grateful to them for what they do for us all at great personal risk.

Oh, and sending a donation wouldn’t hurt if you can do it.  We sure will be.

Thanks again to the great folks of the Chester squad!

Sincerely,

Leslie Ann Holbrook
Chester 

To The Editor:

Here we go again. The Middle East is a powder keg and four of our patriots have been viciously killed. Now the violence has spread to Northern Africa. The Obama foreign policy is not working; it is meek, weak, hide-and-seek. We should have known that candidate Obama was flying high on out-of-control-narcissism when he claimed that the day he was inaugurated Muslim hostility would ease. This kind of hatred and violence is too deeply rooted to be ameliorated by one man who sees his presidency as the time when the “rise of oceans begin to slow and the planet begins to heal.” What kind of leadership is this?

The human community has suffered from bloodshed in the name of religion since antiquity. The conquest of more than two thirds of the Christian world by Muslims and the bloody retaliatory crusades that responded centuries later, the Spanish Inquisition, Auschwitz, Treblinka, the slaughter of Jews by their Christian neighbors and “friends” in the polish town of Jedwabne, ethnic cleansing in the Balkans, hatred between Pakistan and India, the Muslim jihad against Christians in Indonesia, the horrific and savage “holy war” launched by fundamentalist Muslims on September eleven, the slaughter of Christians in Pakistan, and the murder and mayhem now in the middle East are but a few examples of the havoc reaped because of humanity’s basic insecurity and fear that cuts deep into the heart of the human community.

As I see it, our intolerance towards each other is an out-picturing of a deep sense of fear and abandonment that exists in the psyche of the human community. We have been cast into the world to fend for ourselves and to grapple with loss and end of life issues. What other species is unconsciously, if not consciously, riveted to loss and death? We know that we and our loved ones are going to die, yet we have no idea how death will come, when it will come, or who, if anyone, has the right answers as to what happens after death. This is the cruel fate of humanity.

And for most of us, the need to believe that our loved ones and we exist after death in some rarified form, or another, is the strongest and most urgent force within us. Whether it is psychic, cosmic, or biological, our belief in immortality is more basic than our need for sex and nourishment.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, we have created, been given, or inherited over two thousand religions to help allay our fears about “end things.” Essentially, religion has been based on disassociating the idea of death and ceasing to exist. Virtually all religions promise some form of afterlife-with death as an end of temporal life and the beginning of something else.

While it is true that millions of humans profess to have no religious yearnings or concerns about their fate after death, for most of us, whether we are willing to admit it or not, the thought of not having the “right” answers as to what happens to us after death is untenable. As a result, life has become a battleground of intolerance and hatred.

It seems almost diabolic that the religious teachings that ostensibly provide us with our symbols, our values, our purpose and our comfort are so often the fuel that ignites violence and hatred between humans who look and think differently. Throughout our history we have witnessed the use of sacred texts- perverted, interpolated, misunderstood and misrepresented to justify savage cruelty by extremists from many faiths.

Most of humanity wants to rid our planet of the cruelty that we continue to inflict upon each other. However, looking for love in all the wrong places is naïve at best. At this time in human history, Islamic extremist have Americans squarely in their cross hairs. Obsequiousness will not heal this deeply rooted hatred.

Did this administration learn anything from September 11?  It was the timidity and perceived weakness of America during the Clinton administration that allowed Global Terror Inc. to implode on Ground Zero at the beginning of the Bush administration.

American foreign policy must be hardened to protect us here and around the world. Perhaps, instead of sending the bust of Sir Winston Churchill back to English diplomats, Obama should have put the bust on his desk in the Oval Office as a reminder of strong leadership. “Victory at all cost, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.”

Sincerely,

Alison Nichols,
Essex, CT

To the Editor,

Linda McMahon’s big win on Tuesday removed all doubt that Linda has made her case with the GOP in Connecticut.  Both the convention of the ‘establishment’ GOP and the wider base of Connecticut’s Republican voters have enthusiastically endorsed Linda.

Linda has been making the broader argument for all of Connecticut’s voters that her opponent, Chris Murphy, promises more of the same while Linda brings the promise of shaking things up with only her constituents and – not special interests – to serve.

There has been some argument, over the years, as to the attendance record of Chris as a representative.  I don’t care so much whether he’s in attendance; it’s his voting record (98% alignment with Nancy Pelosi) that prompts me to work for Linda.

I have many close friends who supported Shay’s campaign (my husband, for one). I know it is hard to recover from a loss to a candidate you don’t support. Here in Connecticut, we’ve all had that experience. If you think that Linda doesn’t have all the answers, then my suggestion is that you speak directly to her.  Linda is absolutely approachable. She’s far more likely to listen to your concerns, understand what you are saying and actually respond directly to you than Chris Murphy who filters his support through the special interests that put him into office.

I like Linda personally and I like Linda’s promise to put Connecticut back to work.

Sincerely,

Jerri MacMillian
Essex

To the Editor:

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DNC Chairwoman, uber progressive, abortion advocate, and heroine of Planned Parenthood claims that if one is “pro-life,” one is, therefore, “anti-woman.”  Her statement invites a conversation.

Eighty percent of Americans are against partial-birth abortion. Does that mean that eighty percent of Americans are anti-woman? Does Schultz realize that poll after poll shows that even those that are working within the parameters of Supreme Court jurisprudence overwhelmingly support restrictions on abortion?

There are also legions of Americans, like myself, whose thinking and conscience have evolved to reject abortion and the decision that makes it a woman’s right. My blind allegiance to “choice” was most assuredly rooted in my background. I grew-up in a Connecticut suburb of New York City where back-alley abortions were a reality. I knew two young girls in my community who were subjected to crude methods of ending their pregnancies. The older sister of a classmate of mine threw herself down the cellar stairs to facilitate the end of her pregnancy. She was, as a result, unable to ever again conceive.

It was an untenable situation in the days before birth control became available for women. In spite of the fact that “the pill” reached pharmacy shelves a few years before abortion became legal, it is of little wonder why so many Americans, acutely aware of gruesome back-alley abortions, stood behind “ choice.” Living in a patriarchal society was an added ingredient to the acceptance of “choice.”  Women were sick and tired of gender double standards and being told what was acceptable of women, by men.

Slowly, over many years, I realized that when feminist lawyers and leaders, in concert with the ACLU, pushed for the right of a woman to abort her unborn child, I began to macerate the truth.

After the Supreme Court overturned all state abortion laws and abortion became a constitutional right, my lexicon concerning babies in the womb changed. I began to refer to the unborn child as a “fetus” and the ending of a human life became “choice.” And later on, viability was added to my lexicon.

It is telling to me that I used euphemisms such as “choice” rather  than abortion.  Little lies that I told myself helped to insulate me from the realities of “choice.” I wonder how many other men and women mimic the pro-choice mindset and in so doing completely disregard the rights of the unborn.

When I allowed myself to think about the number of babies sacrificed in the name of protecting a woman’s right to “choose,” it was chilling.  How many of the millions and millions of babies aborted were baby girls-the very same gender that the leaders and fellow supporters of the women’s movement pledged to protect through “choice.” The aborted babies have had no choice.

As I finally began to tear down the wall that separated me from the truth, I began to challenge my blind support of Roe V. Wade. It is no secret that the number of abortions performed to actually prevent the death of the mother is minimal. It seems that in those extreme cases there are two lives at stake and the decision should be between the doctor and the mom.

The number of pregnancies resulting from rape and incest are diminimus. When these heinous crimes do result in pregnancy and there is not a threat to the mother’s life, adoption is always a better answer than abortion. In these rare occasions, the community and churches must provide financial and psychological help for the victim. Since charitable giving in America is outpacing economic growth, it can be done. As a country we are moving towards rapid response to those in need. We are a caring nation.

Within the rhetoric about protecting women’s lives and privacy, we never hear the facts concerning the physical, the spiritual and the psychic post-abortion trauma suffered by so many women. These are the very same women we pledge to support with “choice.”

If it is truly women’s lives and privacy that propels the pro-choice lobby, why, I wonder, has the emphasis always been on the “right” for a woman to abort.  The emphasis has never been the promotion of and availability of safe and effective birth control, help with adoption, education and the encouragement of parents to keep pregnancy conversations open and honest?

Education should include the knowledge that that a unique human being is created when the sperm fertilizes an egg. The fertilized egg has a complete genetic make-up. It is a life. We know that at seven weeks, eyelids have been formed. By nine weeks the baby sucks her thumb, does flips in the whom and swallows. It is a life

It is not my purpose to judge anyone who has had an abortion. The pro-abortion lobby, emboldened by the Supreme Court, has been aggressive, loud and deceptive. Perhaps, with the most recent scientific discoveries, our society will wake-up and give the completely dependent unborn child the same rights as the completely dependent newborn.

The decision by the Supreme Court regarding abortion is not an inexorable command. Consider what happened to the death penalty for juveniles (Brown) in 2005. Justice Kennedy, writing for the majority opinion to strike down the death penalty for juveniles, explained that the “standards of decency have evolved since the case in 1989 when the Supreme Court reached the opposite opinion.” That ruling on the legality of the death penalty for juveniles shows us that a precedent can be overturned. Roe is by no means a settled expectation of society-despite its “super duper” status.

To date there have been millions and millions of abortions performed in the United States. For me, it is a heavy burden to know that I blindly supported an egregious ruling by the Supreme Court- a ruling that has inflicted a hideous scar on the face of American history.

Sincerely,

Alison Nichols, M.Div, 
Essex, CT

To The Editor:

This letter is in response to an article written by Shelly Banjo in the May 14, 2012 issue of the Wall Street Journal. The State of Connecticut has spent $27 million on a tourism campaign and hired Chowder, Inc., a NY advertising agency to lead it. Why isn’t our own government hiring ONLY local crews from within the state instead of partially outsourcing much needed jobs? Why has this money left the state? This is not the first time the state has outsourced its tourism campaign to NY. They did it in 2005.

The Connecticut Department for Economic and Community Development’s Offices of Culture and Tourism is the same department that promotes Connecticut’s Film, Television and Digital Media industry through their production guide. It is filled with talented advertising agencies, graphic designers, writers, photographers, actors, film and television crews, etc. This is quite contradictory.

In attempt for the New York agency to understand our state, they assembled a market research focus group that met in Westchester, NY. In Banjo’s article she writes that Jim Ritterhoff, a partner at Chowder Inc. observed one participant who stated, “Out of 50 states, I don’t think anyone would say that Connecticut is the most inspiring.”

On the contrary, I think Connecticut is awe-inspiring. We are home to some of the world’s most impressive corporations (PEZ, Lego North sails, Bigelow Tea, ESPN, World Wrestling Entertainment, Consumer Reports Auto Testing Center), universities (Yale, Wesleyan, Connecticut College), homesteads and museums (Mark Twain House, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, the Florence Griswold Museum, the Wadsworth Athenaeum, the Hillstead Museum designed by Theodate Pope Riddle one of the first American women architects). We have the US Coast Guard Academy, Gillette Castle, The Goodpeed Opera House, the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts, Mystic Seaport which houses the largest collection of America’s Cup footage in the world and is the preeminent maritime museum worldwide, Mystic Aquarium and Dr. Robert Ballard’s renowned Institute for Exploration, the Essex Steam Train and River Boat, two of the country’s oldest and continuously running ferries, quaint historical villages, beaches, boating, state parks for camping and hiking, vineyards, Sail Fest where the world’s tall ship regularly converge, and the Connecticut River, hailed by the Nature Conservancy as one of the last 10 great places, just to name a few.

Banjo cites: “After spending $27 million on a soul-searching advertising campaign, Connecticut proclaimed Monday that the state is Still Revolutionary.” Here’s a slogan for you: Connecticut: Proud to be the Quiet, Cultural State. That will be $27 million dollars, please.

Sincerely,

Caryn B. Davis
Chester

To The Editor:

I just finished your article, “Are Libraries Doomed?“, and I wanted to say thank you.  It gave me pause to think that our new town library may never be built.  We have an aging, dilapidated Andrew Carnegie Library in our town that is not handicap accessible.  After a year of struggling to help raise funds to build a new library we find that we are up against those who believe a library will become obsolete.

I have a Kindle that I rarely use.  I have Kindle on my PC, eBooks on my iPad and have proofread for Gutenberg.  Nothing can replace the interaction of people at a public library.  A library is a place where you know you have something in common with the others there without even speaking a word to them.  It is comforting.  Nothing can replace a librarian who will direct you to what you are looking for in a matter of minutes.  A library is community.  I’ve never had anyone leaf through my coffee table picture book via my Kindle.

Recently, I searched the internet to make the case for why we still need libraries and I am so impressed that you have visited so many.  If we don’t need a library because of advances in technology and eBooks, then I ask, do we really need a tennis court in our park when citizens can go home and play tennis on their Wii?  And why should the citizens of our town go to city council meetings to make a case for a new library, when we can sit at home and attend via GoToMeeting.com?  Is this the type of community of the future where we will all further isolate ourselves and truly be a virtual community?  Technology is great, but is it good?

A baby shower was given for my daughter-in-law when my granddaughter was 4 months old.  It was a book shower to build her library.  The gift was to be one book that was your favorite as a child.  What a creative idea.  What could be more beautiful than a child pulling the books out of a cubby and having them strewn about on the floor around them? Then, crawling through them, selecting that one favorite book and opening it up to the colorful page while their eyes are wide with discovery.  One of my granddaughter’s favorites is, “The Monster at the End of this Book.”  I can’t imagine reading to her, “The Monster at the End of this Digital Reading Device”.  Yes!  There is one book that will have to stay in print,

“But for those against libraries, they do have a point.  Why waste ten minutes doing research in a library when you can spend three hours searching for the information on the internet?”  (I read this comment somewhere when searching the internet.  It is difficult to cite the origin, as you would cite a publication.  It may have been gray square, white male, silhouette, Anonymous.)

I didn’t find much when doing my search for making the case for a new library until I found your article.  We will continue to pursue our dreams of a new library and I am thankful I am able to share your insight on our library Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Lisa Klein

Plainview, NE

To the Editor:

It looks as if the land grabbing, money grubbing bullies at the Environmental Protection Agency have finally been slapped-down hard. Can you imagine what the couple from Idaho, trying to build a home on their property for the past five years, have been subjected to by this out of control agency?

The Supreme Court in a nine to zero decision has now enabled the couple to challenge the EPA after years of unjust harassment and the threat of enormous fines. How many bad decisions and trampling of citizens Constitutional Rights will the EPA generate before it is systematically overhauled and the perpetrators of menace are thrown out on the street?

Speaking of bad decisions and the trampling of citizens rights, the Connecticut Department of Environment and Energy Protection (DEEP), as well as the Environmental Committee at the State Legislature are pursuing laws that threaten our Constitutional Rights.

Our State Representative, Phil Miller, who is vice chair of the Environmental Committee, announced to The New Haven Register (23 March)  that the “Rising of the Seas Bill” was brought to committee and passed late Friday evening. It was supported by the DEEP. Predictably, there was no notification through the Bill tracking system.

Mr. Miller revealed in the article that “Rising of the Seas Bill,” formerly referred to as the “Strategic Retreat Bill,” was tweaked to “avoid potentially objectionable language.” In the next breath, Miller mentions “relocation assistance” and “voluntary buyouts.” Nice try. Changing the language does not change the fact that this Bill did and still does threaten property rights.

“Rising sea levels,” “Ocean Climate Change,” and “Strategic Retreat” are now part of environmental extremist’s vernacular.  This scare campaign, based on severely flawed global warming models, is the latest hoax perpetrated by the foot soldiers of the Socialist agenda that was hatched at the Brundtland Commission in 1987. The end game is to destroy Freedoms through confiscation of private property and the empowerment of the UN as a “Global Government.”

The UN, recognizing that local governments (agenda 21) are agents of change, is at present redrafting an Environmental Constitution. This “covenant,” as they call it, will give the UN authority over the entire globe. This is being enforced despite the fact that they know the science is seriously flawed.

Environmental extremists continue to run roughshod over the Constitutional Rights of American citizens.  Gird your loins folks; the land grab is full speed ahead in Connecticut.

Sincerely,

Alison Nichols,
Essex CT

To The Editor,

The first word that comes to my mind when I think about what it means to be an American is Freedom. Yet, each day our freedoms are being challenged and chewed away by zealous environmentalists.  These radical activists are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They have disarmed us with what appeared in the past to be benign changes in our way of life, e.g., anti-pollution rectification.

Moderate changes have deftly opened the door to radical agendas.  “Global warming, “discounted by so many of the very same scientists who originally backed the green hysteria, is the biggest hoax ever perpetrated on the human community.

Behind the radical hoax of “Global warming” is the effort to achieve “Global Government” with overreaching regulations.  The plan, well on its way, is to control property rights through obfuscation, prevarication, regulation and confiscation.

On the local level, these zealots are hard at work to impinge on our property rights. Consider Bill HB5128 that is currently being discussed on the legislative floor. This bill originated in the Environmental Committee at the State Legislature. And the changes outlined in the hearing represent, at best, bureaucratic overreach.

It is time for our Senator from the 33^rd district, Eileen Daily, and our Representative from the36th district, Phil Miller, who is the vice-chair of the environmental committee, to get naked on this bill. They owe it to their constituents to let us know how they plan to vote on Bill HB5128 that brings into question one or more Constitutional issues.

And for those of us who value our freedoms, we can both keep up the mirth and watch our freedoms disintegrate one, by one, by one.  Or, we can confront the wizards of Hartford aggressively and relentlessly reminding them that they work for The People-not the other way around.

Sincerely,

Alison Nichols,
Essex, CT

To The Editor:

Shoreline residents need to be informed about a new Legislative bill which, if passed, could heavily impact their property rights. A public hearing will be held at the State Capitol on Wednesday Feb 22 at 11:00 a.m.

For information go to:
http://ctsenaterepublicans.com/2012/02/heres-how-shoreline-residents-can-weigh-in-on-a-proposal–that-impacts-their-property-rights–senator-fasano-talks-to-am-960-welis-vinnie-penn-audio/

Sincerely,

Neil Nichols,
Essex, CT

To the Editor:

We would like to thank the Community for their generous support of the Stuff-A-Cruiser events at the Colonial Market on November 18^th and December 16th.  We broke our previous record at both events collecting a total of over 5500 pounds of food for the Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries.

Our community is lucky to have such giving people.  One gentleman went into the store to buy a gallon of water and came out with a cart of groceries.  A woman who had just won some money on a lottery ticket and filled up two grocery carts of items to donate.  And yet another resident handed us a $500 dollar check to spend on food items.

Our appreciation also goes to the community groups who supported our efforts and provided entertainment:  Essex Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, the confirmation class of Our Lady of Sorrows Church,  the Deep River Fife and Drum Corp, VRHS Chorus, JWMS Choir and Grace Notes bell ringers.

The Soup Kitchen was extremely grateful for these donations at a very demanding time of year.  We couldn’t have done it without you.

Thank you.

 The Essex Community Fund

To The Editor:

We are writing to thank the many donors and volunteers who supported the blood drive at Essex Town Hall on December 2.  The goal was to collect 80 pints. Eighty-four pints were successfully donated.  We are fortunate that so many people in the area are personally dedicated to donating.  One person achieved the one-gallon mark; another received an 8 gallon pin. Eileen Patrie donated her 100th pint!  And there was one first-time donor.

Blood is always in short supply.  We are extremely gratified that so many recognize the ongoing need and are able to donate so that blood is available to transfuse those who are ill.

You may be surprised to learn that 19 volunteers were involved in this drive.  This includes friends who prepare the homemade goodies for the hospitality table as well as workers at the event.  In addition, we are very appreciative of the contributions made by local merchants.  Riggio’s Flower Shop donates roses for each of the drives, which we give to first-time donors and those who reach new “gallon” benchmarks.  IGA and the Knights of Columbus provide some of the food used to make sandwiches for the hospitality table.

We will be in touch for the next drive in Essex scheduled for February 3.

Sincerely,

Dick and Linda Levene

To The Editor:

Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut is grateful to the members of the Essex Automobile Club whose fall car show benefits the children served by Child & Family Agency. The weather didn’t cooperate this fall and therefore the Car Show had to be cancelled. The Essex Automobile Club planned to return the registration fees to the participants but many asked that their contributions still be given to Child & Family. The Agency is grateful for this wide community support which allowed us to provide needed services to over 17,100 children and their families last year.

Thank you Essex Automobile Club and participants for your continued support!
With deep appreciation

Judy Lovelace

Director of Resource Development
& Community Relations

Child & Family Agency of SE CT

To The Editor:

At the most recent budget hearings in the spring, numerous elected officials and town residents advocated using a scalpel rather than an axe when addressing required budget adjustments following a failed budget vote. It appears that Mr. MacMillian is advocating just that. Rather than simply cutting certain line items, he is insisting on justifying their existence and funding them at an appropriate level. Requiring non-profit organizations to justify their contribution to the municipality which provides the funding is sound governance. This level of accountability is a must at all levels of government. Meals on wheels and visiting nurses are just a couple of the line items discussed in various letters and articles and identified as being “in jeopardy”. Arguably these two non-profits provide a service to Essex and will continue to be funded. Many of the other line items may also be justified. Some may not. Mr. MacMillian simply requires that justification.

With respect to the most recent “he-said – he-said” political mailing, this discourse serves two non-productive ends. First, it is a disservice to the voters. Playing on emotions of fear and threatening unjustified cuts by an opponent, although an excellent political move, leaves voters misinformed. Second, this sets a poor tone for the next board of selectmen. These two individuals, more likely than not, will be serving together for the next two years. The level of trust on that board is now shattered due to the misleading out-of-context references.

For those that have attended some of the board and commission meetings discussing critical issues in the past, we have seen some very polarizing discussions, accusations, and behavior. I fear that this polarization is about to continue.

Sincerely,

Phil Beckman

To The Editor:

It strikes me as odd that Mr. Needleman does not want to question some of the funding provided to non-profits from taxpayer funds.  For example, why does Essex provide $33,000 to Tri Town Youth Services Bureau, Inc., when our neighboring town, one of the Tri Town area, Deep River only provides $5,000?  Essex has 20% more children under age 17, but why such a large difference?  While I am sure Tri Town Youth Services does a great job, this annual difference, in just this one non-profit, has been going on for many years, resulting in a significant outlay of taxpayer funds.  Perhaps there is a good reason, however, one would expect a better answer than that given by Mr. Needleman who describes hundreds of thousands of dollars as a mere pittance.  It is definitely time to start asking tough questions of the people who are distributing taxpayers money!

Sincerely,

John Ackermann
Essex

To The Editor:

Mr. Wilson’s article provided plenty of Norm Needleman responses to questions during a telephone interview but precious little information on what Bruce MacMillian’s stand is on the issues. We know Bruce has denied the three points brought up in the hit piece that went out, but what exactly did he say during the telephone interview and during the debate?

Mr. Wilson, were you at the debate when Bruce said the libraries of Essex and Ivoryton would continue to get funding from the town because they do provide a return to the town? That was unequivocal. Did you hear him say he absolutely supports the fire department and emergency services because, with the police department, they are the most important services the town provides? At no time has funding for the library or essential services ever been a question. Did you hear Bruce talk about the fact we have two working constables when we’re paying for four? I believe that was one of the things he was referring to when talking about a professional police department. What’s professional about having half a force?

It bothers me greatly that Norm, as a current Selectman, has a very cavalier attitude about the tax money the hard working citizens of our town entrust to the Selectmen by using it to fund non-profit organizations that are best supported by individuals. Bruce is correct to want to carefully consider where our money goes. We need someone who is capable of saying “no.” With the likelihood State tax money given back to the town is going to be cut, we need someone who will be a tough protector of our treasury so we can afford to maintain our lovely town even if faced with less money, and not have it siphoned off to groups that do nothing to maintain our infrastructure or benefit our schools. It is not the town’s responsibility to provide money to non-profits.

Tomorrow’s vote is very important. We need to put Selectmen in office who have their priorities in order and who will be careful with the monies entrusted to them and not spend them on unnecessary expenditures. We need Bruce MacMillian and Joel Marzi to rein in the increasing town budget.

Sincerely.

Adrienne Forrest
Essex

To The Editor:

I have had the pleasure of calling the Town of Essex home for the past 8 years.  My husband and I chose it for many reasons but, first and foremost, we sought a safe place to raise our family.  We have found that and more in Essex.   It is a place where the schools have exceeded our expectations, have made improvements when needed and are recognized on the national level.  To say that we love it here would be a very large understatement.

We know that we are fortunate to live in a community that has had town leadership that has consistently supported our educational programs, our non-profit libraries and the beauty of the preserved open spaces all around us.  That they have also done this while looking out for our seniors and our most vunerable citizens speaks to their commitment to all.  I have had the pleasure to get to know both Norm Needleman and Stacia Libby through my volunteer efforts and cannot think of a better team to lead our community.  There is not a doubt in my mind that Norm and Stacia will continue to provide the leadership that helps to make our town a great place to call home.

Sincerely,

Loretta T. McCluskey
Ivoryton

To The Editor:

Most residents in Essex, Centerbrook and Ivoryton are unaware of a few issues that need to be addressed prior to elections on Tuesday, November 8th.

Stacia Rice-Libby devoted much of this past year as a member of the Essex Republican Town Committee until April, when she left not only the RTC but also her position on the Park & Rec committee.  The reason given was that she was too busy. However, she then quickly became the Democrat that is now Norm Needleman’s running mate.

Mr. Needleman, himself, told us that he was running because, “I looked at the history of first selectmen in Essex and they had all been selectmen prior to becoming a first selectman.”  Not true Norman and certainly not a proper reason.   He asked if he could count on our vote and a donation.  He was told the three things he must promise if he expected our vote.  (Adhere to the Constitution, Adhere to Connecticut’s Constitution and Not Lie).

Mr. Needleman stated during a board of selectmen’s meeting this year, after some heated concerns from residents about the hiring of a police officer for Essex who apparently was still under investigation, that he would prefer that future meetings not be audio taped. This is outrageous!  Deep River not only records, they video tape their meetings for local TV.  Joel Marzi, our present 3^rd selectman, opposed Norm’s idea and explained that the audio recordings protected everyone.  We need that kind of transparency.  Joel stated his objection and asked that it be permanently placed on the record.  Thank you Joel.

Additionally, are you aware that Essex has been involved in several lawsuits over the past year and a paid police officer now attends Board of Selectmen’s meetings?

We believe most suits could have been avoided if another team was in place.  Hopefully, most have been addressed but without a doubt may have cost you increased tax dollars.  Some may still be active.  Police services two months into the new budget have increased to $158,000 compared to $83,000 this same time last year.  Reasons given were legal services, DUIs etc.

A very respectable resident was told this year that if he spoke or asked a question prior to the budget vote during public Q & A he would be removed from the auditorium.  This happened after hours of his research found years of budget discrepancies which he kindly shared with Norm Needleman one afternoon just before the Board of Finance public hearing and vote.

Another resident, who came to selectmen’s meetings this past winter with his concerns, was told that he should leave and that he came with “baggage” of his own.  What kind of local government do we have if this is allowed to continue?  This kind of treatment to our taxpaying citizens during public comment time opens the possibility of additional lawsuits.

We shall not be told to “shut up.”  We are a Constitutional Republic, and each and every individual, that is, one by one by one, has unalienable rights, i.e., natural and inherent.  We are not a Democracy or any other form of government.

From a concerned citizen – Essex has 3 times the per capita debt we had when Phil and Norm took over, increased property taxes 60%, and I believe that our town’s indebtedness as a % of expenditures is almost 130% of the state average, a massive increase from 2002, the year before Phil and Norm took over, when that % of the state average was only 53.5%!

Budget revisions have added $2.3 million to the Selectmen’s budget from 2004 to 2010.

We understand that foreclosures have greatly risen in Essex in two years.   The crime rate in Essex doubled that of Westbrook.  We maintain four police vehicles, two not being used.

Norm Needleman touts that he has been a selectman since 2003 and has a successful business in town.  Norm has three businesses, one in Essex, one in Clinton, one in Montague, MI. if, in fact, the info online is correct regarding Tower Labs, his company.  We are happy that Norm has been very successful with his businesses but we need a full time first selectman not a first selectman who previously told several residents he would consider hiring a Town Manager but then switched during the debate.   Norm also sits on boards of organizations that receive YOUR tax dollars.   Is it ethical that anyone handling the board of selectmen’s budget should also sit on boards of organizations to which those tax dollars are given?  We don’t believe so.

People are out of work and having financial difficulties.   Many in Essex have to pay their taxes on a budget plan, so stated our Treasurer at the October 20^th Board of Finance meeting.  The Essex Elementary School needs a new roof at a cost between one and two million dollars.  Norm and Stacia Rice-Libby have no clue as to what is ahead around the next financial corner or how we are going to address these issues.  We can not afford increased spending or taxing.  Most of us are not better off than a year ago.  If the infrastructure is improved, tell us where.   Inflation is here and rising, and your dollars do not purchase what they did even a year ago.

It is Our Opportunity, Our Responsibility and Our Call as to what the Outcome in Essex will be.

Please, attend Board of Selectmen’s meetings and Board of Finance meetings in the future.  If we attend, they will be more careful with YOUR money and addressing your Rights.  Things are out of control.  Send a message loud and clear on Tuesday, November 8^th.

Change the status quo at the town hall.  You will not be sorry.   No more lies.  No more hiding issues.   VOTE FOR BRUCE MACMILLIAN, JOEL MARZI again and their REPUBLICAN TEAM

Thank you very much

Melanie H. Phoenix (lifelong Essex resident 67 years)

Paul F. Phoenix (resident 54 years, member of Essex Fire Dept. for 46 years and Past Fire Chief)

To The Editor:

I wonder if any Independents who received the filthy eleventh hour mailer released by Needleman/Libby have been hoodwinked into believing their pathetic lies. I think we are too smart to fall for the Saul Alinsky type politic that have become business as usual at our Town Hall.

A clash of ideologies is one thing- these blatant lies stink like bile. Unfortunately, false advertising works and Needleman/Libby have descended into this all too familiar cesspool of deception e.g., scare the seniors, the poor and the uninformed. The ugly politics have to stop. Whether it is doctoring debate videos, tarnishing the opponent’s reputation, or downright lies as seen in this mailer, it is up to us, the Independents, to vote the vulgariens, out of local politics. It is not good for our town.

Sincerely,

Alison Nichols,
Essex

To The Editor:

I am very distressed to read today’s flyer making outright misstatements about Bruce McMillan. I have lived in Essex for 36 years and have NEVER heard anyone ever call for reduction in funding to our library, fire department or ambulance associations.

Moreover, in the contentious budget meeting this year, the word LIBRARY never came up. Not once! Nor have I ever heard anyone say that they wanted a police department such as Old Saybrooks. There are plenty of issues to discuss – our ongoing legal fees, our constant overspending and coming back for more, etc., but the issues mentioned in Norm’s flyer are not among them.

Although Bruce did say he would look at all NGO contributions (save the library, ambulance and fire department) to ascertain if there was a value to the town, he never mentioned anything about meals-on-wheels (one presumes there is a value to the town if we have participants).

This sort of late hit in the campaign smacks of desperation, particularly when none of it is true.

Respectfully,

Linda K. Dwyer,
Essex

To the Editor:

Caring for our community also means caring for those who need our help.  Norm Needleman and Stacia Rice-Libby have demonstrated they will continue the partnerships that help our community’s seniors and most vulnerable.  Their opponent, Bruce MacMillian, will not.

In a recent newspaper interview, MacMillian said “I don’t like to see 17 non-profit organizations funded through tax dollars. Certainly, funds for the fire department and ambulance association-public safety concerns-would be funded, but I question the need for us to fund the others.”

Some of those 17 non-profits include organizations like the Visiting Nurses, the Estuary Council of Seniors, and even Meals on Wheels.  These programs help people who need our help the most.  The amount of tax dollars that are contributed to these important efforts is tiny compared to the professional police department Mr. MacMilian wishes to create.

In the end it’s about priorities.  Let’s continue to help those who need it, and elect people who will make it a priority to do so responsibly.  That’s why I hope you’ll join me in voting for Norm Needleman and Stacia Rice-Libby November 8.

Sincerely

Cathy Bishop

To The Editor:

I will vote this Thursday for Norm Needleman and Stacia Rice-Libby. Norm already has a proven track record with the town of Essex in budgeting, land preservation, and supporting much needed non-profits in these troubled economic times. And I believe Stacia will bring a fresh, pragmatic perspective to governing.

As a Medical Social Worker, I have seen firsthand the devastation affecting our seniors, the disabled, and the disenfranchised, and yes, right here in Essex! To turn our backs on our own citizens is foolish, divisive and cruel. I for one am supporting the candidates that have already controlled costs, kept our taxes low and have taken a necessary and emphatic approach to much needed programs. Let’s not take two steps back!

Sincerely,

Lea Santello, MSW
Ivoryton

To The Editor:

I am voting for Norman Needleman for first selectman and Stacia Rice-Libby for the Board of Selectman.  Here’s why:

With Phil Miller deciding not to seek another term as our first selectman, we need to elect a new team to guide our town.  Both Norm and Stacia have the right set of experience as small business owners, managers and community volunteers.

Norm  has served as our selectman since 2003.  He knows the people, the issues and has the right set of management experience having grown a small company from scratch into a major manufacturing company.  His hands-on leadership is needed in town more than ever and his proven ability to bring people together for the common good is well known and respected.

Stacia has run a small business and is now in the insurance industry.  She’s a dedicated community volunteer and a lifelong resident of our region.  She will bring a fresh new perspective and if elected will be the first woman to serve on the Board of Selectman in about two decades.

Together Norm and Stacia will provide an exciting new way forward at a time when we need new ideas.  That’s why I am voting for both of them on Nov. 8.

Sincerely,

Claire Tiernan
Ivoryton

To The Editor:

We would like very much if you would print our questions to Bruce MacMillian and his answers he gave to us.

Our questions to Bruce MacMillian, if he is elected first selectman for the town of Essex, and his responses are as follows;

1. Have you or are you considering or planning to hire a Town Manager for Essex ?  No

2. Will you or are you considering holding all Board of Selectmen’s meetings after 6pm or at a time when more residents are home from work and able to attend ?  Yes and perhaps on Saturdays so residents can attend

3. Are you willing to acquire a line item expense report from organizations both within Essex limits and outside Essex limits to which our tax dollars are donated no matter what the amount given, i.e., Essex Library or Rushford ?  Yes, non-profits that receive our taxes dollars need to show us that they are providing a return on our investment. No return, no future funding

4. Will you remove yourself from donating Essex tax dollars to companies or organizations both within and outside Essex limits if you sit on the Board of Directors of same entity or are you willing to step down from that position ? Yes

5. Would you consider first and foremost sending out bid announcements for impending jobs to Essex residents who own businesses before doing so or contracting with those outside the Town of Essex ?  Yes

6. When hiring town employees both for inside town hall and outside employment, would you make it a priority to hire a local Essex resident if qualifications meet with the job description ? Yes

7. Would you promise not to hire anyone, who would be paid with tax dollars from Essex residents if that proposed employee was or is under legal investigation at the time of the hire?  Town residents came to several Board of Selectmen’s meetings this year to oppose exactly this matter. Yes

8. Do you consider these three basic descriptions as top priority and responsibility for holding the position of first selectman,  Emergency Preparedness, Health and Roads ?  I agree with your three but my highest priority is public safety which includes police, fire department and emergency preparedness.

Also, volunteer is not an ugly word. Being a volunteer gives people, especially if they have the time, a sense of worth, and a volunteer could lead to a part time or full time employee for Essex or, in the future, perhaps another selectman. 

9. Would you seriously consider allowing residents to volunteer their service or time, at no charge to our town, if the opportunity arises ?  Yes, we need more volunteers.

10. With regard to transparency, are you willing to keep all topics of importance on the table so that citizens do not find out after the fact that something was handled secretly, such as drowning of the beaver, no bid contracts and many more topics that outraged residents particularly this past year ?  Yes, transparency is very important to me.

Good luck with your campaign.  We hope you win.  We need you and your team.  It is time.

Sincerely,

Melanie and Paul Phoenix,

Essex, CT.

To The Editor:

I don’t know about you, but our national politics are bad right now.  Name calling and obstruction have gotten in the way of doing what is right for the people.  It is unfortunate.

Thankfully here in Essex things are not that way.  Our town leadership has worked well together to keep our books fiscally sound, transparent, and balanced.  Their accomplishments were made together as Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.  We need to continue this positive approach to government and that is why my vote will go to Norm Needleman and Stacia Rice-Libby this Nov. 8.

Whether it’s his work as one of our selectmen, in his successful business, or helping one of the many community organizations serving our town, Norm has always worked to bring people together.  Most important, he doesn’t always think he’s right.  He spends time with people who may have differing ideas to learn more about alternative points of view, and more often than not those discussions lead to very productive outcomes to challenging problems.

Norm has what it takes to lead our community.  I hope your readers will consider joining me in voting for Norm Needleman and Stacia Rice-Libby this Nov. 8.

Sincerely,

David C. Bates
Ivoryton

To The Editor,

The voters of Essex have a great opportunity on 8 November to elect Bruce MacMillian, running for First Selectman, and Joel Marzi, running for Selectman. Both of the candidates have promised an open process, accessibility and positive leadership. After hearing both candidates speak at various events, I am convinced that they will bring positive changes to our town.

Joel is a small business owner in Essex and is currently serving as a Selectman. He has volunteered on Essex Boards and Commissions for a combined twenty-five years.  Known to many of us for his stellar sense of humor and wit, Joel has, over the years, and on a more serious note, become a safe haven for Democrats, Independents and Republicans to voice their concerns about our town. This spotlights his trustworthiness and his accessibility.

Bruce’s broad experience, his business background and his fiscal conservatism guarantee that he will be an excellent steward of our tax funds. His volunteer work for the Essex Housing Authority sets him apart. At the time that Bruce took over the reins, the Housing Authority was mired in problems and complaints from the residents. Within a short period of time, Bruce restructured the management team, improved communication and reformulated the mission. The proof in the pudding is how an organization turnaround can succeed with the right leadership.

For voters who have not had the pleasure of meeting Bruce and Joel, be assured that, when elected, MacMillian and Marzi will work tirelessly for Essex.

Sincerely,

Alison Nichols,
Essex, CT,