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