When you are a poll worker, you really get to see the people doing the work of voting. Some persons come prepared to vote party row all the way across; others are motivated to select the exact candidate for a specific job. Some families vote for the first time across generations.

In District 4 Overbrook, voters were outspoken about the Tweed-New Haven Airport noise and fumes, and that means that Mayor Joseph Carfora and Town Council representatives must protect quality of life and burdens of expansion, as well as commit to the written stance submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration to request an Environmental Impact Statement, along with local zoning regulations. These residents live on Waldo, Thompson, Dodge, and Gerrish and have the burdens of jet fumes, noise, and traffic.

Senior citizens spoke about the need for low-income senior housing in town. There is a current moratorium on multi-unit development. Exercising your right to vote is sacred, and many thanks to the voters. Across the entire town, only about 6,035 filled in the Mayor ballot in a town of 18,000 eligible voters. Awesome job by both Registrars of Voters, Town Clerk, staff and volunteers. I think that accessibility voting will increase as residents become aware of its availability.

Carry on in transparency and accountability in a town that has an education, economic development, and hiring crises, along with a list of liabilities and major lawsuit payouts. As for the Facebook “East Haven Politics” group, it reached 27,000 visits this month and 50,000 views across media platforms with primary resources on issues! You are integral, as an influencer of change, for the future of the town. Get involved in any way you can: attend a town meeting, join a civic organization, and participate in school holiday events.

Lorena Venegas

East Haven