Newtown Opinion: Vote for Bolinsky

Letter to the Editor;

For the first time in my life, I’m putting a politician’s sign in my front yard. In a country that has become so partisan, it is wonderful to know that our town is represented by a man who will shake hands across the aisle to work members from the other party to do what is best for Newtown, as well as the rest of our state. As an independent voter who votes for the best person, whatever their affiliation, I am proud to endorse Mitch Bolinsky for our State Representative in Hartford.

When our school’s budget was going to be cut by five-million dollars by Governor Malloy, Mitch worked with Democrats to defeat it. When tragedy stuck our town, Mitch voted to bring common-sense gun laws to our state.

Bolinsky has also been a staple in our community’s events. I organize the Newtown Holiday Decorating Contest Facebook group, and not only did Bolinsky spend 4½ hours of his free time on a bumpy school bus as a judge, he also helped finance the barn stars given to the winners. One of the select few to be both a sponsor and a judge.

We have many issues, such as road tolls, coming up. How many of you are aware that there were plans for not only tolling the interstates, but also Routes 7, 6, and 25? Route 34 wouldn’t be far behind, and many of us would have fees going right onto our E-ZPass almost as soon as we leave our driveways. Don’t have an E-ZPass? You’ll be billed at a higher rate. Mitch is a known fighter against these tolls. I wish the Newtown Bee would have chosen a toll question for their forum, because it is an issue that would affect our everyday lives with an added expense. The line is drawn in the sand. Republicans will continue to fight tolls, the Democrats want them in place.

Without new industry coming in, and others leaving our state, Connecticut has less jobs, no future for our children, and the tax-base will just keep shrinking. That will make living here even more expensive. The Democrat plan to install Paid Medical Family leave for employees to be paid for time off to care for a family member will hurt small businesses. They cannot afford to pay a replacement worker plus 40% of the employee’s salary who’s out on leave. If the state pays the 40%, our taxes will go up. If the business pays the 40%, it will kill them. This is what vacation days, sick days, and personal days should be used for. Nowhere is ever posted by the Democrats how long these Paid Family Days will be.   While Mitch Bolinsky likes the idea of a Paid Medical Family leave, he believes they should not be state mandated, and I agree with him. Keep the State, which overspends and cannot even balance its own budget, out of the hair of businesses. Bolinsky encourages businesses and jobs in Connecticut, not regulate to strangle them.

Vote YES for Mitch Bolinsky.

Lois Barber, Newtown