Getting To Know The Candidate
Getting To Know The Candidate
To the Editor:
I remember when more politicians went door-to-door to campaign for votes. It seems to happen with decreased regularity these days, which is too bad because itâs the best way for a voter to get to know a candidate, even if the contact is just for a minute or two.
The only candidate who knocked on my door last year was Chris Lyddy, a member of the Legislative Council who now is campaigning for state representative in the 106th District. The fact that Chris gave up a Sunday afternoon in early autumn to stump through my neighborhood impressed me. He had our congressman, Chris Murphy, with him, and we chatted for a few minutes about our community and affairs in Hartford and Washington, D.C.
Chris didnât inundate me with rhetoric or make any empty promises. He wasnât pushy, and he didnât try to impress me with what Iâve since learned is his considerable understanding of issues that really impact Newtown, such as education and property taxes. He simply listened, and promised to do his best if voters elected him to the council.
Fortunately they did (in fact, Chris received more votes than anyone) and he went right to work. I saw him at a budget subcommittee meeting this spring even though he wasnât a member of the committee and, therefore, was not obligated to attend. He did just as much listening and notetaking as the members, however. Last week he joined Attorney General Richard Blumenthal at a news conference in Hartford to criticize a plan by Charter Communications to track its customersâ website visits. Not so coincidentally, Charter came to its senses after the news conference and dropped its ridiculous plan.
As a Charter customer, I am grateful to Chris and others for putting pressure on the company. That is why Chris has earned my vote to represent Newtown in Hartford. Heâs already proven how much he cares for the people here.
Chris Gardner
4 Mt Pleasant Terrace, Newtown                                  June 30, 2008