Category Archives: Letters

Letter to the Editor: Lanier’s Revision of Campaign Filings Raises Concerns

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To the Editor:

The public deserves answers when a candidate for political office makes questionable decisions.  I think it’s only fair that we deserve an answer from Victoria Lanier regarding her inaccurate and misleading filings to the Citizen’s Clean Election Program.

Lanier’s campaign failed to show expenses towards campaign buttons, campaign flyers, campaign palm cards, campaign printing, and other miscellaneous expenses that were known to have been incurred based on evidence dating back to April.  The Citizen’s Clean Election Program was correct in questioning these expenditure omissions, and Lanier was forced to account for them.

Why were these expenditures not divulged to the Citizens’ Clean Election Program initially?  Donations of this type are illegal.  Could this be an attempt to hide costs from the State Clean Elections program to give Attorney Victoria Lanier a financial advantage in a program that caps campaign costs?

Could this be a preview of unethical behavior, or an inattention to important details that constituents will experience if Attorney Lanier is elected?  I don’t believe it’s worth it to risk on a seat currently held by someone as ethically sound as Marilyn Giuliano.  She backs Devin Carney in the Republican primary for the 23rd District and so do I.

Sincerely,

Russell Gomes,
Old Lyme

Letterto the Editor: Lanier Has Extensive Political Experience, Unlike Opponent Carney

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To the Editor:

Republicans have a choice August 12th, between an experienced, accomplished representative in Vicki Lanier, and a professionally and politically inexperienced option in Devin Carney.  Hartford is not the place for the most basic civic training in an important job as our state representative.

Ms. Lanier is a successful family law and business advocate, among other duties working extensively with state agencies to support her clients’ interest.  She knows the problems of government directly. Mr. Carney has limited professional experience from which to draw, and though a stated realtor in his literature, let his real estate license lapse in May after less than one year.

Mr. Carney has no elected or even volunteer experience at any level of government.  Vicki was elected to the Lyme-Old Lyme Board of Education, and served as its treasurer for two years.  She is active in her community, both civically and as a volunteer.  I have had the honor of serving with her on our Republican Town Committee, where she gave her time and talents generously as the secretary and the chairwoman of our Nominating Committee.

Important to Republican primary voters, according to the Connecticut Voter Registration System, Mr. Carney was a Democrat as recently as 2010.  Lanier has been a long-time Republican, serving on the Old Lyme Republican Town Committee faithfully since 2007 and elected as its secretary.

Experience matters in an effective state representative.  I have worked closely with Vicki, and I know how capable and professional she is.  I strongly endorse Vicki Lanier– she is the absolute best candidate for our District, and she deserves Republicans’ votes in the primary.

Sincerely,

J. David Kelsey
Old Lyme

Letter to the Editor: Carney Can be Trusted to Work for the People

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To the Editor:

Joe Bruno, there you go again, playing fast and loose with the facts.  Devin Carney recently accepted a debate, pending the results of a primary, with the Westbrook Council of Beaches for the general election.  He doesn’t step away from a challenge, but this particular “debate” you were referring to was being planned by Tim Griswold.  Yes, the same Tim Griswold who wrote a nasty letter about Devin, and the same Tim Griswold who is Lanier’s deputy treasurer and top campaign advisor.  Carney has no issues debating Lanier, but unfortunately, this appeared to be a last-ditch, biased attempt to jump-start her flagging campaign in order to tip the scales in her favor.  This is not consistent with Republican values, and voters deserve better than gimmicky, “gotcha” politics.

Here’s a refresher – Devin’s opponent, as a Board of Education member, was the only person to vote “no” against beefing up front door access security at Lyme-Old Lyme elementary schools.  Need proof?  Check out the Board of Ed Minutes from December 5, 2012.  In the wake of countless school shootings, this is unacceptable.  Additionally, she sat silently by acquiescing to the district’s implementation of the controversial Common Core.  And how about her vote to close the recently renovated (at great expense) Center School on Lyme Street despite strong and widespread parent and community opposition?  She does not deserve our support.

I trust Devin to work for the people, and not for his own special interests.  He has my vote on Aug. 12 in the 23rd House District Republican primary and I ask all voting Republicans that day to cast their vote for Devin Carney.

Sincerely,

John Johnson
Old Lyme

Editor’s Note: Joe Bruno’s letter, to which Mr. Johnson is referring in this letter, can be found at this link.

Letter to the Editor: Lanier is Better Choice; Has Experience, Strong Credentials

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To the Editor:

Vicki Lanier is the better choice for Republican voters when we vote for our candidate to be State Representative of the 23rd District in the August 12th Primary.

She was elected to the Lyme/Old Lyme School Board. She owns a successful small business and is a family law attorney who interfaces with many State agencies. She is a fourth generation resident of Old Lyme and is a lifelong Republican who has voted consistently in municipal and state/federal elections. In short, Vicki is the real deal and her experience will enable her to be an effective voice for us in Hartford.

Contrast this record with that of her opponent. He has not been elected to any political office, he changed his party affiliation in July of 2010 and he has changed his voting address three times in the last two years (from Saybrook to Essex to Westbrook and back to Saybrook). His voting record shows he did not vote in three of the last four municipal elections!

Given Vicki’s experience and strong credentials, we can depend on her to competently represent us in Hartford. Please join me in voting for Vicki on August 12th.

Sincerely,

Timothy C. Griswold,
Old Lyme

Letter to the Editor: Similarities to Giuliano Make Lanier Best Candidate to Fill Giuliano’s Shoes

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To the Editor:

For a seamless transition to elect a new State Rep in the 23rd District, Republican voters should consider the similarities between the retiring Marilyn Giuliano and Vicki Lanier when voting on August 12th.

Both are long-time Republicans with experience in elected office before running for state rep; Vicki was treasurer on Region 18 Board of Ed; Marilyn was vice chair of Old Saybrook Board of Finance.

Both are working mothers who balanced demands of parenthood, work, and volunteerism with their public service; Vicki is partner in her law firm, Marilyn is a public school employee.

Both devote time to community outreach; Vicki mentors women in need; Marilyn lent time to public health and housing. Both gave time and effort to PTO and Scouts.

In an ironic twist, both Giuliano and Lanier did not emerge with their party’s endorsement.  Twelve years ago, Marilyn won her primary.  Given the similar strengths and experience that both Vicki and Marilyn possess, please vote for Vicki Lanier on August 12th.

Sincerely,

Joan C. Carlson,
Old Saybrook.