I'M STICKEN WITH JOHN!


Well, this is the last article I will write before we all go to the polls next Tuesday. I have done my best to present to you the Republican candidates for State and National office. Now it's up to all of us to decide the best person for the job.

I want to end the campaign article writing season with a few words about State Senator John Kissel. John is up for re-election in the 7th Senatorial District and has served the people of our district, including Enfield, very well.

As we come down to the final days of the campaign I am so pleased with campaign Senator Kissel has run. No negative ads. No personal attacks on his opponent. No mailings that demean the character of Mr. Kiner.

I wish that could be said about the Kiner campaign....but sad to say many of you have received the old fashion attack mailings. In fact, many Democrats sickened by this type of campaigning have thrown their support behind Senator Kissel.

I believe that we in Enfield enjoy the political campaign season. We enjoy the debates and exchange of ideas. We love the heat of battle and the adrenaline that we feel on election night. Man, there is nothing like it.

But what we will not stand for is personal attacks, lies, and misinformation.

Senator Kissel has stayed focused during the campaign season by balancing his time between the campaign and doing his job, representing you and me.

Because he has put the district before the campaign, he continued to work to bring assistance to Enfield.

This past weekend Senator Kissel was able to secure $48,000.00 so the Felician Sisters Adult Day Care to purchase a new van to care for the people in their care. I know that the men and women who help with Felician Sisters appreciate the Senators hard work on their behalf.

Senator Kissel stated in a recent email:

"Well, this has taken many months, Sister (Patricia) and her Board filled out a three-ring binder of forms, and I've met with Secretary Genuario many times. The Felician Adult Day Care accepts people of any faith, and people facing loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer's really need help. Sister Patricia and the Felician Adult Day Care are a valuable asset for Enfield and north-central Connecticut".

Senator Kissel also fought to protect you and I from a 30% water rate increase,and helped with Enfield Firefighters gaining new equipment.

John is not afraid to work with leaders on both sides of the aisle if it means making life better for his constituents. In July of 2006 Senator Kissel was invited by Lt. Governor Kevin Sullivan to join a working group to address the need for stronger drunk driving laws. Making roads safer for all of us, and especially our teenage drivers, is more important then who gets the credit. These type of issues need a by-partisan approach and John has always put his district and the State needs above party.


If you are still undecided about who you are voting for, I encourage you to call the candidates and ask questions. If you need to reach Republicans and are not sure how, just email me at GTStokessr@aol.com and I will connect you with whoever you want.

Last, I just want to wish all the candidates the best. I know how tired you are by now, having run myself. We in the town of Enfield admire anyone who get in the arena. God Bless and Good luck.

Greg Stokes

DeStefano Supported Rowland in 2002 ....Hmmm


Well, the race for the highest office in our State is coming to a conclusion and the negative ads are getting more intense. But, Mr. DeStefano has a little problem with one of his ads that just goes to prove that he will do anything to beat Jodi Rell.

He will even forget his own words of support for former Governor John Rowland in 2002. That’s right. While he is dumping on Governor Rell for showing support for her former boss at a time he was at the top of his game, John DeStefano was also on the record for giving praise to Rowland, who he supported in that election.

In the Fairfield County Weekly a Reporter filed this article while Rowland was campaigning in New Haven. Read closely and see how the candidate for Governor today showed support for John Rowland back then.

From the Fairfield County Weekly in the Fall of 2002:
“DeStefano has brought out a high school band. He has packed Hillhouse High School with hundreds of people to cheer Rowland for the state's help in building a 105,000-square-foot field house and athletic complex. Rowland gets five times the crowd of last week's Curry event--and 20 times the energy.
This was DeStefano's idea. He took Rowland to lunch a week earlier. He invited him to visit the field house for a public thank-you--just weeks before the election.
Usually, the two poke at each other in public like schoolboys from competing cliques. Today, Rowland soaks in the royal treatment offered by a mayor whose administration, apparently convinced Curry's campaign is dead, worries about keeping the state money spigot open after November. New Haven will still vote for Curry. But don't expect any wildfires.
Suddenly, even New Haven is a Rowland DMZ.
Like a pep rally captain, DeStefano yells to the packed crowd of students, teachers and politicos about the $1.1 billion in school construction that Rowland's administration has backed in New Haven. The crowd yells back.
"We had a state administration (Rowland) that supported our vision for our kids!" DeStefano exclaims.
Then he picks up a theme from last night's debate--one of Rowland's themes. He says he took his son to UConn this fall for his freshman year. "It's a changed campus" from DeStefano's own undergraduate days, the mayor says. All thanks to the money Rowland is investing in education.
Rowland sweeps to the mike like the homecoming king, basking in the adulation.
"Mayor, thank you for that warm endorsement”. Rowland Says:"

When you approve an ad for viewing by the public, it is always best that you make sure that your house is clean. John DeStefano’s mean spirited campaign has lowered his possibility for gaining the office of Governor.

Jodi Rell is the choice that we all trust. She has brought credibility back to the highest State office. She has created a solid "Rainy Day Fund" balance. She has proposed true tax relief for every citizen. She has run a clean and positive campaign.

So do we want a Governor that puts out ads that one, lowers the integrity of the campaign, and two, shows that he forgets his own gleeful support for John Rowland?

On November 7th, vote for Jodi Rell....she deserves re-election.

Greg Stokes

Q AND A WITH REPUBLICAN HOUSE CANDIDATES

As we move toward November 7th and election day I thought it would be important to ask the candidates some questions on key issues facing you the voter. Here are the questions and the answers I received from Sue Lavelli-Hozempa candidate for the 58th district and Charles Woods candidate for the 59th district.

1. What is one thing that can be done to give true tax relief to Enfield residents?
SLH: Connecticut has the highest combined tax burden in the nation. The heavy tax and regulation has made it very difficult for CT to retain businesses here. Businesses have to keep their prices in line in order to compete, when they are so heavily burdened with expensive taxes and regulation it makes it hard for them to be competitive and often have to move to lower taxed and regulated states in order to stay in business.
This same scenario makes it hard for the citizens. While CT may have higher incomes than other states, they are offset by taxes that make quality of life difficult for Enfield families. I believe that it is governments responsibility to be accountable to the people it serves. I do not believe taxing people out of the state is serving them well. CT has lost 10,800 citizens in 2005 alone, to other states. Over the past five years we have lost 2500 businesses. True tax relief only comes when government controls it’s spending. That means that we need to elect people who have the courage to make cuts. We must look at programs that have low participation, are ineffective or duplicate other programs. That is the hard choices our leaders are faced with. Cutting regulation means government has to allow more freedom. Last I checked that is what our great nation was founded upon. Freedom.
CW: The Homestead Act provides for the freezing of some taxes and the exemption of others. This Act is used in many southern states and was used in Connecticut until budget constraints forced its discontinuance. I would explore the reinstatement of the program

2. Knowing that both of you feel that communication with Enfield citizens is vital and have been walking door to door for months. What plans do you have once elected to keep the lines of communications open?
SLH: I currently serve on the Board of Ed and many nights I receive calls and e-mails. I return every message. I am eager to hear the concerns of the citizens of my community. I do my best to make their concerns clear to the other Board of Ed members so that as an elected board we can try to come to a consensus that pleases our residents. I consider it an honor and a privilege to serve in elected office and I take my duties very seriously.
CW: One, I plan to have firehouse meetings every three months. This will allow a free exchange of ideas; let the citizens know what and why their representative is doing on their behalf. It gives citizens a stronger voice in government.
Two, Have e-mail as well as phone service available that is a direct link to the Representative. The citizen should be confident that their concerns will get to the Representative.
3. Educational funding has been in great need of reform. What ideas do you have to improve funding to Enfield Schools?
SLH: Many people tell me they are happy in Enfield Public Schools and often praise teachers and counselors and principals. I am glad that so many children thrive in our system. I also hear the stories from people who have felt disappointed and trapped and would like more options in how their child is educated.
I think as a society we owe it to each and every child to give them an opportunity to thrive. That is why I am such an advocate for school choice grants.
I think if a parent feels that their child might be better served in a different setting, like a magnet or parochial school. Parents should decide which school they feel serves their child’s needs best. We should try to provide that option. These choices provide savings to the taxpayers as well. I see it as a win/win situation for everyone.
CW: Before we improve any funding we must make sure the funds we are already providing are being applied correctly. I stand committed to make sure our children get the best education we can provide. The answer may not be money but better management practices. As is, money seems to have a hard time reaching the children.

4. Senior Citizens are feeling the pain of high taxes and run away health care cost. These are the two most difficult items in their lives. What ideas do you have to help our seniors get a little breathing room?

SLH: Our seniors and veterans are the people who have served their country and their community. They deserve to be treated with respect.
The government has an obligation to interfere in their lives as little as possible. I am very disturbed that at a time in their lives when they want to sell their family home usually to move to smaller quarters, they are hit with a conveyance tax. They should be able to feel safe and comfortable and not have to fear the government taking away the things they have worked for all their lives. There are many wonderful charitable programs to help seniors such as the Felician Sisters Adult Day Care program and Enfield Adult day care. Medicare premiums have been rising over the past decade. I feel tort reform in our state would help curb some of these rising costs.
CW: See #1 even without the Homestead Act we should freeze property taxes (residence only) for those over 65. Additionally the school portion should be removed from their tax rate

5. Please address any other issue you feel needs to be discussed.

SLH: Crime and Punishment. I have spent a lot of time talking with our police officers and prison guards. They work very hard to get criminals off our streets.
They are very frustrated by the fact that all too often their work has been in vain because repeat offenders are back out on the streets in a short time to re-offend again.
I believe CT has to get tough on crime with tough mandated sentencing. Let’s keep the bad guys off our streets and our citizens safe.
CW: After reevaluation tax rates should drop to truly reflect the present budget.

I want to thank both of the candidates for their answers to these questions. I encourage everyone to vote Tuesday November 7th.

Greg Stokes

MARK FOLEYS COAT TAILS…..

Well, we have all seen the stories about the terrible action by Congressman Mark Foley. Let me first say that the emails and instant messages he sent to Congressional Pages are sickening. This is an example of man at his lowest state.

Since the revelation of his predatory activity politics has gone into overdrive. Partisan politics has raised its ugly head as candidates have begun to use this event to sling mud at their opponent.

Democrats are going to try to make Republicans the party of perverts. Yes, that is a strong statement, but it is already ringing true as I watched the news talk shows on all the networks. Let me make it clear that members of congress, like Rob Simmons, are sickened by the conduct of Mark Foley.

Now that I said all that let me talk about what should happen to those who are in leadership who had knowledge early on about Foleys misconduct.

I believe that if an independent inquiry finds that leaders, yes Republican leaders, knew that Foley was soliciting perverted talk from Pages, they should not only resign their leadership post, but resign from congress.

It all comes down to the word “Leadership.”

A leader has qualities that rise above the average person. Leaders set the standards for those who follow. If that leadership finds itself in scandal because of flawed judgment it has lost its ability to lead, even if it still holds the position.

So what are some basic principles of leadership? Here are a few.

One, Leaders guide. They set the direction and help others stay on the path. Two, Leaders guard. They protect the weak and the innocent. If leaders in congress failed this key principle, they have lost their right to hold their position. Third, Leaders gauge. Remember, those in congress are elected by the people and for the people (boy, that sounds familiar). The best way to gauge your leadership is to look behind and see if anyone is following.

Over the month ahead as we get closer to election day we will be bombarded with attack ads from both sides We will hear candidates slam their opponents on the issue of the war in Iraq, taxes, health care, and of course everyone’s favorite, the sub base in Groton.

But the key quality for elected office is “character”. So I want to be clear on this. If my own party leadership is found to have covered up Foleys perversion, they need to resign or be put out of office.

I would rather have one Democrat with Moral Character, then ten Republicans whose policies I agree with, but lack in integrity. That also goes the other way!

Now this is not written so some can take advantage of the situation and lump all Republicans in the Foley scandal camp. Most Republicans, as most Democrats, are decent and moral people. Let’s measure the person running for office based upon their own record and character.

Remember, being a Democrat or Republican does not make you good or evil. That issue is up to who you are deep down in your soul.

Greg Stokes

KISSEL…A BETTER CHOICE FOR ENFIELD


When we go to the polls in November we are all faced with many choices. The big race this year is of course Leiberman verses Lamont and we are all waiting to see what happens with that race.

But in Enfield there is one race that is vital to the balance of power in Hartford and that is the race between John Kissel and Bill Kiner. As it stands right now with Senator Kissel in office Gov. Jodi Rell has the power of the veto. Now, no matter whether you are Democrat or Republican we all understand the virtue of a check and balance government.

If the Governor loses the power of the veto because of the shift of a veto proof majority in the Senate, we may be left with a run away tax raising party controlling our State government.

It all comes down to one word “Negotiation.” Currently when the budget is being developed there is a safe guard to run away spending and tax increases called the “Veto.”. If the Democrats gain three seats in the State Senate we could see the most trusted and popular Governor in years loss her only power to protect me and you and our pocket books. Balance comes from there being a reason to negotiate. Remove the veto, and you remove the balance.

When I spoke to Senator Kissel about this recently he gave me an illustration that makes total sense. He put it this way. If you take all the State Troopers off the highways, the result will be people exceeding the speed limits and the end result would be tragic car wrecks.

Giving the State Senate a veto proof majority will be like removing the troopers, and it is you and I that will pay the cost for repairs.

Can we afford this? No way, No how!

Something else that we should consider is the relationship that John Kissel has with Governor Rell. Not only have they had a great working relationship, they also have a deep friendship. This is important for two reasons. One, John has a deep respect for Jodi Rell, and more important, Governor Rell has a great respect for our Senator.

Because of this our Governor has a better understanding of the needs in Enfield. Big question….are we willing to make Enfield irrelevant by electing someone new? That would be a mistake.

Experience is needed more then ever in the State Senate and Kissel has the experience. He is also one of the most trusted Senators in the state which was validated this past week with the endorsement of the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut. I remind you that Johns opponent is a retired teacher. Hmmmm, that speaks volumes.

The bottom line is that John Kissel needs to be sent back to Hartford as our State Senator. He has done a great job, and with your help and support will continue to keep Enfields needs a priority.

Now, here is an opportunity for you to meet John and his wonderful family. There is a fundraiser to re-elect John Kissel at Frank and Amy Troiano's, Thursday October 5th from 5:30-7:30, 1408 Enfield Street. Suggested Donation is just $20.00 per person and this includes food from The Country Diner. John Kissel will be joined by Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore John P. McKinney (R-Fairfield), a great speaker. You can call Cindy Kissel at 745-0668 or 741-2492 to reserve your ticket. Don’t forget to go to www.kisselforsenate.com where you will find more information about the campaign and an opportunity to help re-elect John.

My wife and I will be attending this fundraiser and would love to meet many of you who read my column. I also believe that getting a chance to meet our Senator will cause you to see what many of us already know…..that John is the real deal.
Greg Stokes