Letters to the Editor - The Lakeville Journal - 11-2-23

Why I’m voting Marty Lindenmeyer for Kent

With very few exceptions, I have voted exclusively Democratic on the local, state, and federal levels since I first began voting many decades ago. I have worked hard on Maria Horn’s campaigns for the 64th and have never regretted my support for her. I made get-out-the-vote phone calls for Jean Speck and Glenn Sanchez in the last election. 

After watching the First Selectman Debate (twice!! with many thanks to Kent News, Inc.), I realized that all three candidates are great people who care very much about Kent and who basically want the same things for the wonderful people of our town. 

So why am I supporting Marty Lindenmeyer for First Selectman?

Marty has acquired impeccable leadership skills over the years at the National, International and local levels. He has excelled at everything from U.S. Naval Captain and Senior Intelligence Officer to Chairman of the Kent Center School Board of Education, President of the Lions Club, a Trustee of his church…and so much more. 

He is a strong environmentalist who grew up on a farm and has a love for nature which aligns perfectly with “keeping Kent rural,” while at the same time making sure we are up-to-date with modern necessities such as internet for all. 

He is an amicable, small town kind of guy, with worldly experience, who will bring a breath of fresh air and a “let’s get things done” attitude to his job as First Selectman of Kent. 

I love Kent! At a time when national politics are so strongly divisive, it’s refreshing to know that small towns can accomplish great things without partisan politics. Kent is fortunate to have such an incredibly strong, well-rounded, and bipartisan candidate running for First Selectman. We deserve the very best. 

Deb Schlee 

Kent

Please vote for Klemens

One of the unexpected pleasures of Covid was attending meetings of the Planning and Zoning Committee by Zoom. I enjoyed serving on such boards years ago but it’s a treat in advanced old age to be able to watch them like a tv show.

What luck for Salisbury that a renowned herpetologist should have decided to make his home here and then devoted so many years to helping us negotiate the prickly border between preservation and economic development. Dr. Klemens believes that it need not be an adversarial set-to. He patiently urges both sides to find ways to accommodate both. We are lucky to have his guidance and his experience as a municipal planner who has seen it work in towns both large and small.

Lorna Brodtkorb

Lakeville

Vote for Marlowe and Kinsella for Falls Village

Falls Village has an opportunity. An opportunity we have not had in a long time. An opportunity to bring two solid businessmen, two pragmatic and proactive leaders, two hard working, dedicated to the whole town, individuals, into the Selectmen’s office who will lead us to a Future Falls Village we all want and need. They will bring trust back to the Selectmen’s office.  Why? Because they love Falls Village as much as every one of us does. Their dedication to our Town and residents is unmeasurable.

If you take the time to view the Selectmen’s meetings either in person or the recordings, and either myself or my wife have been to, or viewed every single meeting for the past two years, it is impossible to end the meeting without noticing one Selectmen, Greg Marlowe, stands out. Greg is the only one with a plan, a real plan. Greg is also the only one who has solid, intelligent, researched, TRUTHFUL answers with substance – solid substance. He asks questions, raises concerns and brings all stakeholders into the equation. Greg is proactive and does not just nod his head in agreement without careful thought, research, and consulting the residents as well as the other boards and commissions involved to come to a practical and informed decision.

Greg’s 12 years of Selectman experience, 14 years on P&Z, deep involvement in the 10-year Plan of Conservation and Development, Bridge/Infrastructure committee and 30+ years business experience, along with his willingness to be available evenings and weekends, and not just  9 a.m. to 12 p.m. four days a week, makes him the number one candidate for First Selectman. We need Greg.

Chris Kinsella is running for Selectman. Chris is hardworking, honest, intelligent and a natural leader too. His heart is huge, and he cares deeply for ALL Falls Village. He will do everything he can to make Falls Village a better place to live while maintaining the beauty and characteristics we all love. Chris’s experience in project management provides a perfect fit for this role. He is easy to work with, listens to everyone’s point of view and takes those points of view and concerns into consideration in every decision-making process. It’s refreshing to see and experience. We need Chris. Like Greg, Chris is available to all of us.  Chris Kinsella is the number one candidate for Selectman.

Vote for Greg Marlowe and Chris Kinsella. The perfect and only qualified team to lead Falls Village. It is an opportunity we can’t afford to miss.

Doug Cohn

Falls Village

Thanks for trip support

Dear Salisbury-Lakeville neighbors,

 Thank you for coming out to the Salisbury Beast 5K run/walk to support the Salisbury Central School’s 8th Grade trip to Washington DC.  The trip is a time honored 8th grade tradition, and we are excited for our turn!  The Beast is a newer town tradition that we hope will continue to be part of our fall festivities.  We have always known what wonderful, tight knit community we live in but are now witnessing first-hand how we all show up for each other and it is incredible to be a part of it.  Thank you for buying wreaths and letting us wash your cars and all the other things you do to make Salisbury-Lakeville such a great place to grow up.

Nico and Max Bochnovich

Salisbury Central School K-8

Please cast your vote on Nov. 7

The Salisbury Democratic Town Committee has a long history of recruiting and electing high quality candidates for our municipal elections. The results are that Salisbury has been one of the best run towns in Connecticut.

Our terrific schools attract young families, excellent social services support people of all ages, our land use boards and commissions work hard to protect natural resources while promoting development that maintains the character of the town, and the list goes on.

From the Boards of Selectmen, Finance, and Education, to The Planning & Zoning Commission and other Land-Use boards and commissions, all led by Democrats I might add, the quality of life here has become the envy of the state.

Last night each of our thirteen candidates had a chance to speak to the community at our Meet & Greet, held at the Senior Center at the Grove. In my twenty-five-plus years on the SDTC I have never been so impressed. The reaction from the public reinforced that feeling.

Please vote on Nov. 7 to continue the caring and fiscally responsible leadership we all have enjoyed for so many years.

Al Ginouves,

Chairman of the Salisbury DTC

Lakeville

Affirming the Town Meeting

On Oct. 26, the Town of Sharon held a Town Meeting where several residents came out to vote on three agenda items; all three were approved.  One item on the agenda was to release Silly Putty funds to conduct a study of Mudge Pond. Because of the approval, an aquatic company has begun the research and we should have a comprehensive report by mid-November.

I would like to thank the Selectmen for their unanimous support; the Board of Finance for approving the release of funds; and Executive Secretary Tina Pitcher for collating the proposal so that residents could better understand the need for the study.  

The lively discussions, the flow of the meeting moderated by our Selectmen, and the residents who were given time to speak and voice opinions, was affirmation that the Town Meeting form of government is still the most direct form of democracy, allowing all registered voters to make decisions regarding their town.

Lynn Kearcher

Sharon

Support for Klemens

This letter is in support of Michael Klemens for the Salisbury Planning and Zoning Commission. Michael has demonstrated leadership and courage in his long tenure chairing this Commission. Recently he spearheaded the reorganization of the Land Use Office and worked diligently with the new owners of Lime Rock Park and the residents of Lime Rock to ensure a collaborative and transparent process that both recognized the Track’s needs as well as those of the community. And, most importantly to me, he is a stalwart supporter of affordable housing demonstrated by his leadership in developing overlay districts to encourage the development of affordable housing in the villages of Lakeville and Salisbury. We are fortunate to have  dedicated and skilled volunteers such as Michael serve our town.

David Rich

Lakeville

Unequalled leadership in Marty Lindenmayer for Kent

When looking at our candidates for First Selectman of Kent, many of the folks in town are sharing how lucky we are to have people of such quality running for office.  I couldn’t agree more. And I hear them saying that we, in fact, are looking at choices that are — more or less —  equal.  But — we’re not. 

Let me start out by being very clear about the fact that Rufus de Rham seems a truly nice man who appreciates the quality of Kent. Lynn Worthington is a terrific human being with worthy skills as a communicator and a heart that’s clearly in the right place in terms of what she sees and wants for our town. Rufus and Lynn may both see many of the same the challenges we’re facing as a small, rural community, as those acknowledged by Marty Lindenmayer. And they may even envision many of the same solutions. But those who write that Rufus, Lynn, and Marty  have equal skills, just haven’t done their homework.   

Marty has led organizations, boards, classrooms, coalitions, and platoons here in Kent and around the world for more than forty years.  He not only sees what needs to be done, he’s able to lead what may begin as warring factions into united efforts that can define and effect positive solutions.  How do we know? He’s proven it — time and time again. 

He grew up on a farm. He doesn’t romanticize rural life, he’s lived it. His father taught and led conservation initiatives at Cornell. Marty was raised with those values. And his career in leading men and women under extreme conditions, faced with both duty and skill, was met not only with respect, but with commendation and honors. 

Marty Lindenmayer has a tested, proven and true skill for leadership.  He’s a man who has done everything possible to support his town, his community, and his country for his entire career.  We should be grateful to have him on our side.  But most of all, we should acknowledge that the qualities —  and most of all, the skills —  he can bring to our town’s leadership are not equal to other’s. No matter how well-intentioned others may be. 

With grateful respect to all the candidates —  and all who help us to preserve and protect our town, 

Diane Meier

Kent

Both parties should be represented in local government

The current Republican Town Committee was established in February 2018 to serve as a serious, responsible voice in the community.  Our efforts have been focused on various issues affecting our town, such as affordable housing and honoring our first responders, as well as  supporting Republican candidates for local, state and Congressional office.  We believe that a small town like Salisbury needs widespread participation in its various governing bodies and commissions and that both parties need to be represented in those bodies.

Next week’s election is a purely local election.  The issues and candidates have nothing to do with the events playing out on the national stage.  Our party has five candidates on the ballot; they are all decent and honorable people and we hope that they will be considered for their character and accomplishments, not their party membership.

Our candidate for Selectman, Don Mayland, has served our town for over 50 years, including 35 years teaching economics at Hotchkiss, 24 years on the Board of Finance, three terms as Selectman, and has chaired numerous other boards and commissions.  Don works extremely well with his fellow Selectmen, both Democrats, and deserves another term.  Bob Riva is well-known to most Salisbury residents as a leading small business owner and his long involvement in local government:  eight years on the Board of Education, four years on the Zoning Board of Appeals and one term as Selectman.  He is currently a highly valued member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, for which he is running to retain his seat.

Our other candidates include Janet Lynn, a long-time Registrar and Assistant Registrar of Voters, who is running for the Zoning Board of Appeals on which she has previously served.  Peter Becket and Stanley Morby are running for the Board of Education.  Peter is a long-time Salisbury resident who has been active in numerous community ventures.  Stanley is active in the Salisbury Central School PTA where his daughter is a student and his wife Larissa is a teacher. 

These candidates will not only serve the Town well but will insure that there is bipartisanship in our governance.  Please consider them when you vote next week.

Tom Morrison

Chair, Salisbury Republican Town Committee

Thanks to affordable housing supporters, donors in Salisbury

The Salisbury Housing Trust would like to thank all our supporters and donors for their contributions in renovating our most recent affordable home at 70 East Main. As a result of your generosity in time, materials and financial support, the home is now owned by a wonderful local family. 

The support for creating more desperately needed affordable homes starts at the top, so thanks to Curtis Rand and the Board of Selectmen plus all of the people who work in the Town Hall for their unending help to see this through. They were joined by the Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission and Family Services, so truly a team effort! Sue Dickenson over at Litchfield Bancorp was instrumental in arranging the financing and  Andy Molnar of EJ Homes did a marvelous job as general contractor for the renovation. Andy invited other contractors to join in and people like Joe Schafer of Decker and Beebe  and Will Bassett contributed their time and materials to the task.  

Finally a big thank you to our donors who made this come true, the support of our community is simply amazing as we try to address this important issue of affordable housing.

John Harney

Salisbury 

Helping our Veterans

 A friend, who is a veteran, served in the army in Thailand years ago when he was exposed to toxic waste. Since then, he has been afflicted with several kinds of cancer. 

Jahana Hayes, our Congresswoman, has been fighting for veterans’ compensation for health issues and other benefits. She co-sponsored the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act to improve the claims process at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This would streamline the bureaucratic forms needed to claim benefits. It would also require the VA Secretary to publish disability benefit forms on the VA’s website for use by veterans’ private providers.  She worked to increase travel reimbursement pay for veterans living abroad to attend disability exams. 

As a ranking member of a Subcommittee on Nutrition, she has fought to address hunger in disabled veterans. She worked to boost funding for the VA to give more job and educational opportunities to veterans. She has also worked to make healthcare access less difficult for women veterans.

Her office was named the only Purple Heart Office in the Northeast by veterans who appreciate her work. We are so lucky to have Jahana Hayes as our Congresswoman, not only for her work for the district but for the difference her work has made in veterans’ lives all over the country.

Liz Piel

Sharon