To the Editor:

Those who know Martha Shoemaker and Jim Lampos appreciate their openness, candor and willingness to listen. For those who don’t know them, you should rest assured they both care deeply about the Town of Old Lyme and its residents, and will make a thoughtful and effective team on the Board of Selectmen. 

Martha and Jim are devoted to an open-door policy. They welcome visits and conversations about the town’s business. 

In that regard, they have a vision of transparency and access for all citizens to be informed, connected and involved. Citizens frustrated at the limited ability to attend town meetings can be reassured that Martha and Jim are dedicated to the very simple solution of publicly available Internet access in real time for Board of Selectmen meetings. They are committed to the easily licensed tools necessary to broadcast meetings of town boards, commissions and committees for free access to deliberations and also display of documents presented at meetings.

All town boards, commissions and committees will be taught how to employ this technology and asked to add a public comment period to their agendas.

Additionally, Martha and Jim will hold valuable public informational meetings to share key town developments and entertain questions from citizens. They will not only preserve, but expand the First Selectman’s weekly newsletter.

If you want transparency at Town Hall, vote for Martha and Jim on November 7.

Sincerely,

Blair Tinkle,
Old Lyme.

To the Editor:

Having attended [Monday] night’s [Old Lyme] Selectmen’s debate, this unaffiliated voter sums up the outcome as follows:

The candidates for Select-person Reed and Lampos were impressive, their responses to all questions were well stated leaving no doubt as to their position on the subject.  One could almost feel their passion for wanting to serve the town and willingness to hear all sides of the matter at hand. The candidates for First Select-person Mesham and Shoemaker were, to say it kindly, less impressive with typical canned wishy-washy responses to the questions.

The issue where there was a definite divide between the R’s and D’s was the issue of Halls Road. The D’s like the grand plan that would remake Halls Road into a dense mixed-use neighborhood that would forever change the character of Old Lyme. The R’s position is that the Halls Road Improvement Committee have gone way beyond the original mandate of sidewalks and lighting improvements and are against the grand plan.

Whichever party wins the majority of Select-person positions in this upcoming election will most likely decide which direction Halls Road will take.  Voters have a clear choice here, grand plan or sidewalks and lighting. Hopefully voters will not let party affiliation blind them into making the wrong choice. 

Sincerely,

William Folland,
Old Lyme.

To the Editor:

Recent events in our nation’s Congress, including the chaos and paralyzation caused by the Republican majority’s inability to govern, serve to remind us that our voice is crucial in protecting our republic. It is imperative to exercise your right to vote armed with knowledge and serious contemplation of the issues you care most about. 

As one former Speaker of the House noted, all politics are local.  I agree. Unless we can elect representatives at the local level who genuinely believe in the fundamental principles of our constitution, and the steadfastness to put the people’s interests before their own, we are lost.  Vote on November 7th, for candidates who will affirmatively act to represent those things you hold most dear.  For me, it is about my grandchildren and electing candidates who take seriously the stewardship over their future.  Among other things this includes the quality of public education and the environment, the fundamental right to vote, the freedom to read and contemplate provocative ideas, the right to make informed choices about their healthcare, and the right to be who they are without suffering the stymying effects of prejudice and discrimination.

As an attorney and student of government it is stunning to me that we have reached a stage in our nation’s evolution where these ideas need promulgating. I will be voting a straight Democrat ticket and urge you to consider doing the same.

Sincerely,

Cynthia Love,
Old Lyme.