Sandra's worried ..............

You could cut the air with a knife one Tuesday night in North Branford.  I worked my way up and down the long driveways of the Sea Hill Rd neighborhood.  It was a trying night, I wasn’t finding many people home and I had encountered just a few intimidating dogs, then I rang Sandra’s bell.  Sandra came to the door and peered through the screen. ‘Yes?’ she said.  I asked my opening question, “are you ready for a senator to stand up for you?” She sighed.  Sandra went on to say we needed serious change here in Connecticut, and that our legislators were out of touch, they don’t understand what how we are struggling.  

Sandra's eyebrows were knitted together; she obviously had more to say so, I asked her if she was willing to share her struggles with me.  “I’ve lost my job” I expressed my condolences and asked when.   with that Sandra opened up.  Sandra worked for almost 20 years as an administrator assistant when she lost her job in early 2008.  She wasted no time, she wrote up a resume and starting hitting the pavement right away looking for a new job.  It took Sandra almost a year to land a new job, but she did and was thankful as well as relieved!  She was just feeling like she was getting back on her feet when she lost her job again, the ‘new job’ she landed in 2009 was with Marlin Firearms.  

Marlin Firearms closed their plant in June and moved to North Carolina and Kentucky, where the costs of doing business is more cost effective.   Sandra’s determination is admirable she’s out there hitting the pavement again, but she’s is worried and so am I.  Unemployment in Connecticut jumped again this month to 9.1%.  We need to build confidence in businesses and employers to invest and create jobs in Connecticut not move south. 

 

Surely you had thought this through.......

I enjoyed the beautiful sunset as I walked Linden Ave in Branford Monday night. I knocked on a screen door and waved to the couple sitting reading in the front room.  William greeted me with a smile and a simple “Yes?” I introduced myself and asked if he was ready for a senator to stand up for him.  Indeed he was! 

He shared a disappointing experience he had with the current Senator.  William had reached out to Senator Meyer with serious concerns about a gun bill that was being presented.  The bill would find gun owners criminally liable if they did not report a stolen gun within 72 hours.  William, a hunter reached out to Senator Meyer in opposition to the bill, he felt it was an unreasonable bill and expressed why.  Much to Williams’s disappointment Senator Meyer voted yes, at which time he reached out once again.  He went on to explain to Senator Meyer again, that he was away from his home for extended periods of time, making it impossible for him to know if a gun had been stolen within 72 hours.  "Surely Senator Meyer," he said "you had thought this through!"  William received a disappointing answer, Senator Meyer hadn’t thought about it that way.

Our second amendment states “the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” Your rights William, have been infringed.  Something I strongly disagree with.  I understand that gun violence, especially with the massacre at Hartford Distributors in such recent memory is a sensitive issue.   Still there is a common sense approach needed in how we adopt bills and more importantly how we think them through. 

Maybe, we just need different people

Mother Nature was not agreeable yesterday afternoon for Branford’s Books, BBQ and Blues.  Still Mother Nature couldn’t discourage the dedicated supporters of the Blackstone Library.  I attended the festivities with Ashley and Joey and enjoyed foot tappin’ blues, great food and company. 

As I made my way through out this devoted crowd I came upon an enthusiastic table, ready to put some tough questions out there for me to answer.  Our conversation twisted and turned from sanctuary cities to unfunded mandates and finally landed on binding arbitration and right to strike.  One questioner named John leaned in a little closer and asked, “So, where are you on binding arbitration?” 

Well, union questions are always difficult.  I strongly feel that unions have a place in our labor force.  In fact, my husband Joe belongs to a union.  He is a Fire Fighter/Paramedic; he can’t strike nor would he.  We need to consider the safety of our citizens. Contract negotiations for police, firefighters and correction officers need to be handled carefully.  At the same time, I recognize the financial burden on local taxpayers that sometimes results from binding arbitration.

John shrugged and looked over his glasses at me and said, “and the others?” 

I told him that he’ll always get an honest answer from me, and while I don’t have all the answers, I do think we need to do a better job negotiating. The time has come for everyone, Republicans, Democrats and Union Leaders to check their egos and the door and open up the lines of communication.  If we can together understand the reasonable needs and wants from both sides, without becoming threatening, then maybe, binding arbitration won’t even be an issue.  

John smiled, shook my hand and said, “maybe, we just need different people.”

Peter the Veteran & Madison Music.

Madison loves their music, rain or shine!  Sunday I joined a pretty impressive group of attendees ready to enjoy the last concert of the season. Through intermissions and many passing showers I made my way throughout the crowd.  

I had the honor of meeting Peter.  Peter with his sparkling eyes and humble smile is a Vietnam Veteran.  He suffers from ill effects of Agent Orange and is mostly confined to a chair.  I thanked Peter for his service, “It’s an honor to shake your hand." I said,  "It is because of your sacrifices I enjoy the freedoms I do today. Thank you.”  His eyes opened just a little wider and his smile became just a little broader, and flood gates opened! 

Peter shared his concerns about the Veterans Hospitals and the continued care our Vets need.  Peter talked about the VFW, and his desire to see the organization continue to grow.  He is continually saddened by the loss of so many of our WWII Vets, “they will be sorely missed”. 

Peter continued to express his worries about our guys and gals coming back from the Middle East.  “I came back and it was bad, we gotta make sure it’s good for them.”   Peter's spirit is admirable, his passion and dedication to our country past and present is unsurpassed.  He sets a great example for our youth, and quite frankly all of us. 

Yes Peter, as we examine the changes needed in our state, we cannot turn our backs on our Veterans and those most in need.  To Peter and all our service men and women, I thank you.

She's one of the Good Ones.

North Branford knows how to celebrate potatoes and corn!  Earlier this month I spent an evening at the North Branford Potato and Corn Festival enjoying great music, delicious food and the company of wonderful attendees. 

During my time at the festival I met Angela.  Angela is originally from New York, and moved to the 12th district four years ago. Her husband, a retired NYC firefighter, visited Branford 20 years ago and fell in love with the area, promising to one day move here.  Angela laughed and said "I never thought it would happen, but here we are living his dream."  I thanked her for her husbands service and shared I was also married to a firefighter.  

Angela and I talked for a while, about the changes she has witnessed in the short time she and her husband have been in Connecticut. She became quite passionate, "it's out of control, really does anyone have any common sense up there?" she said. Our conversation continued about the lack of responsibility our current legislators have shown to how new fresh faces and ideas are needed in Hartford.   "You know, I like you. You look me in the eye when you talk to me." She turned to her family and continued "Hey, kids meet Lisa Davenport, she's running for State Senate, she's one of the good ones"

We need a plan.........

While visiting the picturesque Beech Tree Ridge neighborhood in Killingworth Thursday night, I caught Dale on his way out to a meeting. Even though he was pressed for time, I was invited into his home to meet his lovely wife Ellen.  Dale decided to take a few extra minutes to discuss what issues are important to him.

"Business, we need to grow high tech businesses." that was clearly Dale's biggest concern.  Our discussion moved from lack of business, to how Connecticut has some of the best schools in the country for high education.  "Although we can't hold on to our graduates.  We need a plan to attract businesses and keep them (college graduates) here."

I hear you Dale!  Let's start formulating a plan for both business growth and student retention.

Now that's what I've been waiting for...........

Pat Sajak's voice could be heard as I approached one of the last houses on my list in the Harrison Road neighborhood of North Branford Wednesday night.  I rang a doorbell and waited patiently for the door to open. Leo greeted me with an inquisitive "Can I help you?" I introduced myself and asked him if he was ready for a State Senator who will stand up for him.  His eyes opened wide and he laughed, "I am! But you politicians are all the same, sayin' you'll fix our problems...... but ya know.......... no one says how."  Then with a smile, I told Leo a little about myself.  He was impressed that I didn't have a political career and that I was a small business owner. "yea that's all great, but how are you going to fix the mess we're in?"  My response was honest, as it always is.  "Well, I don't have all the answers, quite frankly I'm always skeptical of someone who does.  Although, I do know that one thing we need to do is stop wasteful spending. One way to do this would be to privatize some programs.  Some programs run by the state can be done for almost half the cost if privatized"

Leo smiled, and stepped back and said, "Now that's what I've been waiting for! Young lady you have my vote!"

Primary Polls

Congratulations to all Primary winners!

Yesterday morning, my campaign co-chair, Lisa and I greeted exit voters in Madison. Although the polls were quiet, those who did come showed enthusiasm and passion.  Through a few passing showers I thanked voters for coming out and reminded them I need their help in November.

The responses were overwhelmingly positive, many expressed support for my campaign, including Bob Davis.  Bob took a few minutes to speak with me, he asked "Do you believe in raising taxes to fix our states problems?"  Bob was thrilled my answer was no! He continued to say he met with my opponent, Senator Meyer a while back to share his concerns with the direction of Connecticut's government. Bob left the meeting understanding that Senator Meyer felt raising taxes and fees was the only way.  Bob stated "He just doesn't get it, glad you do."

I do get it Bob. We don't have a revenue problem we have a spending problem.