Date: Fri 25-Oct-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

candidate-profile-Baptist

Full Text:

Candidate Profiles: Tom Baptist

B Y K AAREN V ALENTA

Democrat Tom Baptist believes there are a lot of important issues in the race

for the 135th District House seat and many things which distinguish him from

his opponent.

"I'm a hard worker, I'll get things done. I'd be a presence in Newtown - the

incumbent is not," he said.

The conservation director for the town of Greenwich since 1978, Mr Baptist

earned a bachelor's degree in biology at UConn and a master's in environmental

science at the University of New Haven.

"My job in Greenwich puts me in charge of land use," he said. "I work with

both conservation and planning and zoning. Most of my time is spent regulating

development, but I'm also in charge of water usage and sewage treatment."

Mr Baptist won the 1996 Conservation Award from the Garden Club of America,

one of only 10 given nationwide, and in 1993 was named Conservation

Administrator of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Conservation and

Inland Wetland Commissions.

"My credentials, background, experience and education all will help me address

many of Newtown's concerns in the areas of residential development, pollution

control and the environment," he said.

Mr Baptist lives in Redding and serves on its water treatment control

authority which, like Newtown, is building a new sewage treatment plant under

a state order.

"We wound up about $300,000 short an needed an additional appropriation from

the state of Connecticut," he said. "We called the incumbent state

representative three times but never got a call back. Our state senator, on

the other hand, was immensely helpful and we got the money. It's important to

make government work for people, business and our towns. You can't do that if

you don't return phone calls."

Mr Baptist said he supports the concept of charter schools and magnet schools

and is looking forward to hearing what the state's special blue ribbon

commission proposes for ending inequality of education.

"I am opposted to any busing of students," Mr Baptist said. "But the quality

of education in Connecticut cities must be addressed. Some 700,000 children in

Connecticut are living below the poverty level. Studies show many are

unprepared for school and unable to participate because of poor nutrition,

environmental contaminations like lead, and the fact that they don't have the

benefit of a nurturing parent."

"Parents need to talk to their child every day, help with homework every day,

and go to the child's school at least once a week to help participate in the

educational process," he said. "There should be a strong voice in Hartford

reminding parents of their responsibilities and duties."

Mr Baptist said that more than 700 unfunded mandates imposed by the state on

municipal governments put incredible pressure on local property taxes - "more

than half of the revenue is spent to meet unfunded mandates." He proposes to

have a blue ribbon panel reduce the number of mandates by 25 percent over five

years.

Mr Baptist doesn't agree with his opponent's proposal to set aside 25 percent

of development as open space. "Towns would wind up getting land which is not

suitable for open space or recreation needs," he said. "Towns couldn't acquire

land on a proactive basis."

Instead, Mr Baptist recommended that money be made available by the state for

towns to purchase parcels.

Mr Baptist also said he is concerned about the integrity of state government

and the fact that it is legal for legislators to take gifts, such as free

meals, from lobbyists and special interest groups.

"I will not take any gift nor any money from any lobbyist or special interest

groups," he pledged.

Mr Baptist questioned why the incumbent, who serves on the assembly's banking

committee, takes gifts and contributions from entities like the Connecticut

Banking Association and Citicorp. "Taking money from the very groups he is in

charge of regulating, that practice impairs the credibility of government."

"It may be legal but the law merely establishes a minimum stand of conduct for

state representatives," Mr Baptist said. "The higher standard is the one I

will subscribe to."