To The Editor:

Newtown is fortunate to have three very strong candidates to represent us in House Districts 106 and 107 and Senate District 28: Mitch Bolinsky, Marty Foncello, and Amybeth Laroche. Each of them is the model of the citizen legislator, being rooted in their communities and occupations then being willing to shoulder the responsibilities of public office.

Not only does Newtown need them, Hartford does as well. For example, Democrats have held the State Senate in Hartford since the Clinton era in the mid-1990s. Thirty years is a long time for essentially one-party dominance. We need more voices from people who have not made a career of politics.

That’s one of the many reasons I’m supporting Amybeth Laroche for Senate and Marty Foncello and Mitch Bolinsky for the House. I know that they will think independently and be a voice, not an echo.

Ideas and solutions are better when they are products of robust debate, but in a one-party dominated echo chamber, the process becomes perfunctory, with bills being passed at the eleventh hour without the benefit of serious discussion.

Both Newtown and Hartford will benefit from having Amybeth, Marty, and Mitch in office to bring perspective and experience to the debate. In addition, they each are kind and compassionate people who do the right thing for the right reason. I urge you to make a plan to vote for Amybeth Laroche, Marty Foncello, and Mitch Bolinsky on or before November 3rd.

Scott A. Reiss

Newtown