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Straight Answers, Accountability, and Transparency

In my experience, municipal leaders must be partners with their state leaders. That’s why I’m enthusiastically endorsing Cindy Lignar and Carol Jones for first selectman of Chester and Deep River, respectively. Both of these proven leaders are always willing to discuss their stances on important issues in a civil, calm, and open manner, rather than with divisive and evasive practices that shut down conversations before they can begin.

While it’s easy to claim one rises above politics, a responsible candidate does not ignore legitimate questions on policy, including issues in the national conversation. So, to anyone who still thinks national party platforms have nothing to do with running a town, please consider: many kinds of funds are federally appropriated but locally implemented. Money from the American Rescue Plan Act, for example, includes funding for K-12 schools to address the academic and psychological development needs of students.

So where do the candidates stand on diversity? Social-Emotional Learning? Book-banning? And Inflation Reduction Act funds can be used for coastal resilience as part of addressing climate change. Do the candidates buy into the ridiculous notion that climate change is a hoax? State grants, too, come into play, as they are often matched by town funds for such services as those provided by the Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau, which, among its many excellent programs, offers resources for LGBTQ kids.

It is vital for our candidates to be transparent with their answers about national issues — including subjects targeted in the so-called “Culture Wars” — because policies do, indeed, “trickle down.” With Jones and Lignar, you can count on straight answers, accountability, and transparency.

Christine Palm

Chester

Christine Palm is the state representative for District 36