I write in support of Christine Cohen for the State Senate, 12th District. Christine is a member of the Guilford Board of Education and runs a successful small business, Cohen’s Bagel Company in Madison. These two activities involve her in competing goods that are in dynamic tension: the common good (schools, safety, transportation, social services, environment, etc.) versus the individual freedoms of people and businesses to pursue their goals.

As a Board of Ed member, Christine negotiates ways to balance the town and education budgets, and is intimately aware of the ways that those budgets are affected by state mandates and funding programs. She demonstrates that the best way to build the Connecticut economy is by providing an educated, well-rounded, and ethical workforce.

As an ethical business owner, Christine is intimately aware of how regulations and tax structure can miss the mark and unnecessarily impede the growth of small business. In my discussions with Christine on ways to balance these competing goods, I am most impressed by her process of lifelong learning. She understands that her business needs differ from those of other industries in Connecticut. Accordingly, she understands that restructuring taxes and regulations requires a broad understanding of Connecticut’s business environment. What distinguishes Christine is her established process for lifelong learning. Those who have met her on the campaign trail have experienced this process.

Instead of slogans, charismatic showmanship, and superficial solutions to complex problems, Christine will begin negotiations in the legislature with thoughtful, well-researched positions. She will incorporate negotiations into her learning process to find real solutions rather than be beholden to some dogmatic party line. Christine Cohen is the one to fight for our values in the 12th District.

Larry Rizzolo

Guilford