To The Editor:

In 2020 during the COVID lockdowns, I, like other small business owners, were forced to navigate uncharted territory. Within the first few weeks, I was faced with trying to figure out how to pay for my rent, electricity, phone, and staff while having to refund clients. Without any revenue, I was facing the real possibility of going out of business. I sat in on calls with Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal directing me to laundry list of forms to fill out but was never afforded the chance to have my questions answered. In desperation, I reached out to Johanna Hayes who is my representative in Lichfield County and once again, got nowhere other than to talk with a staffer who offered no help. Frustrated and in a panic, my neighbor suggested I reach out to Mitch Bolinsky. I was not hopeful since my business is not in Newtown, but I left a voice message anyway.

Within 24 hours, I received a call back. It was not a staffer; it was Mitch himself. The first think he said to me was “I am sorry for the delay, but I was at my mother’s funeral.” Can you imagine? A sitting State Representative that thinks that much of his constituents that he wished he could have called sooner if not for the circumstances. Not only is that rare; it's unheard of.

There is not one state representative as caring as Mitch Bolinsky. Why he is being attached so unfairly is beyond belief. Newtown is so lucky to have someone that has made it his purpose to help individuals and this town we call home. Please do not buy into all the disparaging criticisms and slander. That is just dirty politics. Mitch is not a politician.

And yes, Mitch did help save my business.

Domenica Pisani

Newtown