Connecticut Local Politics

As promised yesterday, here is a posting on the State Representative debate held yesterday, October 4, 2008 at the Waterford Town Hall, sponsored by the New London DAY, the SE CT League of Woman Voters and the AAUW. The New London DAY has a brief summary of both the Twentieth District Senatorial Debate in the previous post and the Representative Debate that is the subject of this posting.

The debate participants were Democratic Incumbent Ed Jutila and his Republican challenger Greg Ellis of the 37th District representing East Lyme, Democratic Incumbent Betsy Ritter of the 38th District representing Waterford and part of Montville who is running unopposed, and Democratic Incumbent Ernie Hewitt and his Green Party Challenger Kenric Hanson of the 39th District representing a portion of New London.  The Republican Challenger Jason Catala of the 39th District was not present.

As in the Senatorial debate, questions were asked by Waterford High School Students, members of the League of Woman Voters, and a few private citizens that were present.  The format was an opening statement, five questions, and then closing statements.

Opening Statements:

Greg Ellis – Active in the community.  His main theme is that the State is losing young professionals because there are no jobs and insufficient affordable housing for these growing families.  The State must come up with a plan to stop this loss.

Ed Jutila – Touted his strong record of accomplishment in two terms in legislature, especially on the transportation committee.

Betsy Ritter – Discussed her goals for the next session since she is running unopposed.

Ernie Hewitt – Noted his committee assignments – Judicial, Appropriations, Labor and Public Safety – and their importance to SE CT.

Kenric Hanson – Noted his back ground as a Connecticut College graduate, a landlord and host of a public access TV show.

Question – The Green Party believes in Community Economics.  How does this fit in to your Legislative Agenda?

Ellis – Will work for smart growth.  Need tax incentives to keep young professionals in the State.

Jutilla – State needs job growth to create a vibrant economy.  In past years have improved state’s position with targeted tax breaks such as in the Film Industry.  Also need to invest in transportation and support small business, the greatest job creators in the state.

Ritter – Small business growth is important.  Also need to look at regional solutions and efficiencies.  Need to think beyond Town boundaries to the Region.

Hewitt – Working to increase Shore Line East in area to encourage smart growth.  the future of Waterford and New London are linked.

Hanson – A sustainable economy must be local.  Local money should stay Local.  Individuals, Families, and business must buy local and support local business.  Residential and Commercial should be mixed to support a large population.  State should work to reduce sprawl and preserve open space.

Question – Do you support Route 11?  What is its priority?

Jutila – Yes, it is a top priority.  He touted is role on the transportation committee in getting the project moving forward with the opportunity to tap into some federal funds when matched by state funds.

Ritter – Yes, SE CT is a vacation destination and Route 11 will improve connection to Central Connecticut.

Hewitt – Praised Representative Jutila as the Local Champion.  There is need to get  the CT Department of Transportation in motion to get the federal and state fund match.

Hanson – Yes, but sees Route 11 Greenway as possible path for a mass transit solution.  Need to develop the right of way so that rail will be the primary means of transportation and people will get out of inefficient automobiles.

Ellis – Yes. It is a priority  Route 85 is too crowded and need to fix the 395 to 95 merge.

Queston – Is there more that should be done to insure that the SUBASE is not involved in the next BRAC process?

Ritter – Yes.  Last time only had four months from time list was out to the final decision.  State needs to be prepared in advance.

Hewitt – Yes, He noted the many jobs that would be effected if the Base closed.  there is a need to keep the SUBASE improving.

Hanson – The State needs to work harder on diversification so that there will be jobs for folks when the base is closed.  Demand for Subs is down.  The region needs Green jobs for the future.   If there was a strong alternative, it would make no difference if based closed.

Ellis – SUBASE is crucial to economy of SE CT.  However, should diversify and build New London into a thriving deep water port.  Expand berthing to permit more cruise ships to dock.

Jutila – It is not inevitable that the SUBASE will be on the next BRAC list. In the past year, the legislature has passed measures to keep CT military friendly.  The Office of Military Affairs was established to help keep the base off the list.

Question:  The taxpayer has spent over $100 million on Fort Trumbull with no result.  Should the New London Development Corporation (NLDC) be desolved?

Hewitt – No.  What happened at Fort Trumbull was not easy.  The State of Connecticut gave New London $85 million to do the project.  It should have been completed by now except for the various law suits that kept it from starting.

Hanson – The NLDC plan is seriously flawed.  However, NLDC should be given another chance but with a changed plan.  This is an opportunity to develop a mixed neighborhood using form based zoning codes instead of the current zoning regulations.  A new plan based on the Community Economy concept could succeed.

Ellis – Good things can happen in New London.  The city should be a major tourist attraction.  With the Pfizer presence, New London has the potential to be a Biotechnology “Silicon Valley.”

Jutila – Fort Trumbull project demonstrated that Eminent Domain should not be used for Economic reasons despite the Supreme Court decision.  The project needs to be completed and NLDC should finish the task.

Ritter – The State Legislature has changed the Eminent Domain policy.  What are the next steps?  The State has shown it is not a good manager of “unused property.”  A smart growth development would be a good idea.

Question – The motto on the Waterford Town Seal is “Agriculture  Industry  Prosperity.”  How is that applicable today?  (To explain this question – The Town Seal was on the wall behind the candidates.  The High School Student asking this question showed definite creativity).

Hanson – Smart growth.  Support local industry and improve the infrastructure to encourage local to local business.  Waterford has open space for agriculture.  Local agriculture and industry will keep area secure.

Ellis – Encourage local agriculture.  Reduce suburban subdivisions.  Need to do more to encourage small business by repealing the Business Entity Tax.

Jutila – Need to preserve open space.  The legislature acted to make Oswegatchie Hills and Eight Mile River.  Support family businesses.  “Industry” is equally important.

Ritter – Agriculture is more than just food.  Need to consider education and health care.  Industry should include Housing and Transportation.  Prosperity is why we are here.

Hewitt – Agriculture – Open Space is an issue, especially in New London.  Prosperity will come.  There is not a lot of land in New London for Industry.

Hanson – Consider the Economy local and support local businesses.

Ellis – Situation “marginal” in CT without young professionals.

Closing Statements

Ellis – Need to come up with an answer on the budget shortfall before the November election.  Voters should see before they vote what steps their representatives will take to resolve the $300 million shortfall.

Jutila – Accomplishments such as expanding Shore Line East, Protecting home owners from predatory Insurance Companies.  There are more challenges ahead such as balancing the budget, encourge single stream recycling.  Need to provide steady leadership.

Ritter – There are many difficult issues ahead – the economy, jobs, transportation, elderly health care, energy.  Looks forward to tackling the issues ahead.

Hewitt – Brought key help to the district like the New London Magnet School District that is 98% Stte funded.

Hanson – Need Universal Health Care.  Cover costs by providing early detection.  Unburden business of this expense.  Need more primary care physicans.  Support Community Economy.

By the time the debate was over, the crowd had dwindled to twenty three persons.  As noted in the DAY article, the Moderator closed by reminding everyone to determine their registration status.  If necessary, mail in their registration by OCT 21 or appear in person by OCT 28 and then vote on NOV 4.