Energetic Leadership

To the Editor:

I’d like to express my appreciation for Legislative Council Member Chris Lyddy’s energetic leadership regarding the recent actions of Charter Communications. As a concerned subscriber, I asked Mr Lyddy if there was anything the council could do to dissuade Charter Communications from launching its ill-conceived pilot program to track Newtown subscribers’ online activities.

Mr Lyddy did not just promise to look into the matter, he listened to my concerns and immediately embarked on his own examination. He promptly raised the matter with the council, contacted the company, the state attorney general’s office and even other towns across the country where Charter had planned to conduct its program. It was no accident, then, that Mr Lyddy was invited to represent Newtown at the pivotal press conference held by the attorney general.

I do not doubt that Mr Lyddy’s energy and initiative were key elements in persuading Charter to drop its plans. This issue was not only critical for Newtown (Mr Lyddy correctly noted that the town’s school system and public library could be affected), but also for the 34 other towns in Connecticut served by Charter. Having worked with him firsthand, I know Mr Lyddy to be a responsive, energetic and well-informed leader — exactly the kind of state representative we deserve in Hartford. He has earned my vote.

Sincerely,

Matthew Petrillo

13 Gelding Hill Road, Sandy Hook                                 July 14, 2008