Letters to the Editor - Winsted Journal - 7/22/16

Neighbor supports LaPointe

Since knowing David LaPointe and his family this past decade, we’ve gotten to know the LaPointes in a sincere manner. David and his wife, Carol, both have raised their four children with political and social awareness, something that is very important to David, along with strong family values and his faith to God and the Christian word. 

David has always been active in our community and churches. It’s the small things that are often overlooked with his selfless and kind acts. Last Christmas, Winchester did not have the means to decorate East End Park. David and his family took it upon themselves to donate and decorate the park with holiday lights. Though decorations are not what makes someone a strong political candidate, David is very thoughtful when it comes to town morale as well as bringing the quintessential New England charm, both for community pride and economic development. This summer, no one was willing or able to run the concession stand at the local baseball field. Both David and Carol donated their time to run it. David recently donated an air conditioner to a retired veteran who has fallen on hard times. These are just a few of the things that make David LaPointe who he is. 

When it comes to our local and national politics, we have overlooked the common man and woman and we have focused on a popularity contest. Too many candidates have forgotten what their real roles are as hopeful politicians, and that is servants for our communities, not for their egos or pockets. 

David, who has been politically driven his whole life, thanks to his late mother, Patricia LaPointe, has served for our local Board of Education for four years, has served our nation in the Marine Corps, and has served over 20 years as a correction officer for the state. He educates himself both locally, nationally and globally. David is a strong individual who is not afraid to speak out for his beliefs and for others who may not have the voices that are needed to be heard. David does not back down from an out numbered, opposed voice. 

I believe with David LaPointe’s strong beliefs in God, Country and Family, he would make for an excellent voice for us, the people of Connecticut, who are unheard, uninspired and overtaxed at the state House of Representatives, for the 63rd District. 

Kimberlea Wimmer

Winsted

Residents want funding restored to bureau

Dear State Rep. Roberta Willis (D-64),

We have always subscribed to your stated belief that working together builds strong communities.

Many of us here in Norfolk are dismayed to learn that the state has withdrawn funding from the Western Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau. We ask that you help restore it.

Their help has been invaluable to us as our town, Norfolk, has tried to help its economy by attracting more visitors and raising awareness of the town among people who might come and live here, put their kids in our dwindling school, support businesses, pay taxes and deepen the pool of volunteers that all small towns depend on.

This decision to withdraw funds is so shortsighted! Northwest Connecticut towns run on volunteers who do lots of work but need professional guidance! None of our towns can afford to hire that person, so losing Bureau Executive DirectorJanet Serra and her office would be quite a blow.

We have tried to get information about our townwide event Weekend in Norfolk out through the state’s Tourism Office, but all we have heard is a resounding silence. They haven’t even posted our event on their website and we sent a listing in March. Unfortunately, that’s not too surprising since they are apparently overloaded already. They don’t need more to do for more towns and we are quite sure they will not be able to.

The funding cut is not an effective way to save money. On the contrary, it’s wasteful of a very valuable resource that not only supplies real help but also teaches skills, significantly multiplying its effect on the region’s economy.

How does the state expect to increase its tax income if it doesn’t invest in economic development? 

Sue and Bruce Frisch

Norfolk

Citizens committee for P&Z planned

Thank you for the accurate reporting the events of the Planning and Zoning public hearing concerning section 10-6 of the zoning regulations held on Monday, July 11.

After attending the meeting on short notice, I have decided to start a citizens committee of seven or eight residents to inform concerned local property owners and residents of the new proposed regulations and the further changes to existing regulations.

This committee will help the property owners and local residents prepare for the changes and potentially contest any changes they may not agree with before or during any planning and zoning public hearings regarding the new regulations that might occur. We will also make sure that they are aware of any postings concerning the related public hearings when they are posted in the newspapers.

We will disseminate information regarding the new regulations until they are approved.

If anyone is interested in helping us spread the word please contact me. We will also have a Channel 191 programs called “Town Regulation Information Exchange.”

Brian O’Heron

Winsted

Health insurance rates are too high

The following letter was sent to the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner.

This is to object to any and all health insurance rate increase requests of insurance companies in Connecticut in their filings shown at www.catalog.state.ct.us/cid/portalApps/RateFilingComment.aspx, which exceed a 1 percent increase because any such increase vastly exceeds the current Consumer Price Index (see: relevant and important information on the current Consumer Price Index at www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/current-inflation-rates/) of the 1 percent amount and is uncalled for, unsustainable for Connecticut patients and consumers, including the state of Connecticut, who have to pay these and additional health care bills they can no longer afford. Further, approving any such rate increase requests would be both inflationary and detrimental to whatever remains of “affordable” health care in Connecticut and such prices have and will continue to adversely affect not only insureds under these plans but also add to economic, financial and inflationary pressures to prices and costs of health care for all Connecticut patients and consumers.

CT Ratepayers strenuously objects to any such rate increases and requests the Connecticut Insurance Department deny them accordingly in order to maintain quality and affordable health care for all consumers and patients in Connecticut. CT Ratepayers also notes the signal lack of participation by any representatives by or for Connecticut consumers in these hearings and, given this, notes that any contracts emanating from any decisions granting such rate increases should be null and void as the ultimate payers, consumers and patients for health care, have no say, contractually or otherwise in the setting of prices or the terms of health insurance contracts by and between health care providers and health care insurance companies, resulting in unfair, unconstitutional and egregious violations of due process, equal protection and the impossibility of performance by many, many consumers and patients, limiting their access to affordable, quality health care altogether. 

Until such time as Connecticut health insurance ratepayers  —  consumers who must pay health insurance premiums plus co-pays, deductibles, coinsurance and facility fees without a proper hearing, notice or opportunity to be heard and to appeal — are properly and adequately represented at these or similar health insurance rate increase request hearings, CT Ratepayers requests the Connecticut Insurance Commission reject any rate increase requests, stay any pending rate increases and postpone these and similar rate increase request hearings.

Alan DiCara, Director

CT Ratepayers

Winsted