Letter to the Day-Don MacKenzie

Anne Santoro is running for state Representative in the 37th District representing East Lyme, Montville and Salem. Anne is a graduate of Stanford University and UConn School of Law. She is an attorney that has practiced municipal and business law along with an exemplary public service record serving East Lyme as our Deputy First Selectman, the Board of Finance, Chairperson of the ARPA Subcommittee and more. She and her husband Fred (local pediatrician) have been residents in East Lyme for over 35 years. Before moving to East Lyme, Anne served as legal counsel for the towns of Milford and Greenwich. That should cover the smart and hard-working part.

Today a Democratic Governor, House and Senate are governing Connecticut. I do not hate Democrats, but a strong government must have some semblance of balance and ideas coupled with healthy dialogue. Based on standings amongst other states, our “one-party rule” obviously is not a recipe that is working for our state as Connecticut continually ranks among the most expensive states in the country to live in as more people are still moving out than moving in. There is only one reason for that, the cost of living. Groceries, gasoline and utilities, especially electricity rates, are a heavy financial burden for our residents.

Our state is also well-known for its tax structure. Beyond the state’s income taxes, residents face exceptionally high property taxes, vehicle taxes and estate taxes, therefore being forced to move to tax-friendlier states which represent financial relief for them. When they leave, they also take their spending and tax dollars elsewhere. They would prefer to stay in Connecticut, but their fixed income is just that, fixed income.

Now to Anne Santoro and playing well with others. Let’s face it, her opponent has had a rough term regarding “playing well with others,” not only with the opposing party but his own party as well. I cannot recall a time when the Speaker of the House has called out one of his own in public. This has been well-documented in the media as well.

Send Anne Santoro to Hartford and let us try something different. It is time for a change as she is indeed smart, hard-working and plays well with others.

Don MacKenzie

Niantic

Editor's note: The writer is Chairman of the East Lyme Republican Town Committee