Letters to the Editor - November 3

Totally Shocked in Sharon

Shock and dismay were the immediate reactions in our household at the Journal’s endorsement of John Perotti for Sharon Board of Selectmen. Aside from Mr. Perotti’s limited involvement in town issues the last few years and very little to say about its future, with the sole exception of loosening its P&Z regulations, the looming elephant in the room has gone totally ignored. Throughout his campaign, Mr. Perotti has given no indication that if elected to office in Sharon he will give up his seat on Salisbury Bank’s Board of Directors, not to mention his seat on the bank’s loan committee, trust committee, marketing board, etc., etc. Just how many conflicts of interest can one candidate rack up? Is Mr. Perotti going for a Guinness Book record?

It’s well known that the Town of Sharon is a Salisbury Bank client. Town financial issues routinely come before the bank’s committees. And, of course, those issues are first discussed and voted on by Sharon’s Board of Selectmen. By law, any time the above occurs, Mr. Perotti must recuse himself. Perhaps the bank’s several committees that Mr. Perotti sits on would not take it amiss if he recused himself from all bank business involving the Town of Sharon. The same could NOT be said for Sharon’s three person BOS. What is the point of holding such a seat, one of three votes, if one of them must be recused from literally dozens of matters? Even worse, failure to recuse where such a serious conflict exists, namely a financial one, could be a huge liability for Sharon. Just one lawsuit resulting from the above could send this town into a money pit of litigation and an accompanying spiral of increasing taxes. Bad, bad, bad idea to allow one of our elected representatives to have such a conflict in the first place.

Connecticut’s Code of Ethics for Public Officials clearly states that an official, including an elected one, has a substantial conflict of interest with the proper discharge of his duties in the public interest as prescribed by state law if he has reason to believe or expect that he, a spouse, child or business he is associated with, will derive a monetary gain or loss by reason of his official activity. Do your homework, Lakeville Journal. This one is a no brainer.

Anne Saunders
Sharon

 

Would recuse himself on certain Sharon matters

My thanks to Liz Piel for her letter in the Oct. 27 edition of The Lakeville Journal voicing concern regarding a potential conflict of interest if I am elected to Sharon’s Board of Selectmen.

Since I am an active member of the Salisbury Bank Board of Directors and the Town of Sharon is a bank client, I can certainly understand that the voters of Sharon might be concerned about this. The voters of Sharon deserve to know my feelings, and rightfully so.

Let me make myself perfectly clear regarding this issue. I can unequivocally state that I would plan to recuse myself from discussions and decisions concerning financial matters between the bank and the Town of Sharon, both on the Salisbury Bank board and the Sharon Board of Selectmen.

John Perotti
Sharon  

 

Salisbury candidate Mark Lauretano is fair and just

As a registered independent who is such because he finds the Democratic Party to be ideologically too far to the right of his leftist leanings, this writer may surprise you by hoping that voters seriously consider the man overwhelmingly endorsed by the Salisbury Republican Town Committee, Mark Lauretano, for selectman. OK, has everyone recovered from the shock? Let me explain my reasons.

Beforehand, let me state that these reasons predate my discovery of Mr. Lauretano’s broad range of impressive accomplishments, which include the attainment of an MBA degree, service in the military and as an inventor. Instead they stem from an appreciation of his pursuit of justice, sense of fairness and unbiased advocacy for the protection of individual and collective rights, all of which I personally experienced during a police matter in his final year as our resident trooper.

In this publicized case, there was an assailant and a victim. Two police officers from the Canaan barracks were summoned by the hospital where the victim was being treated for a fractured eye socket and concussion. The assailant was later found and interrogated, but no arrest was made, which sent a message to members of our community that perpetrators can continue to assault randomly and victims must just take the hits.

A few days later, Trooper Lauretano was summoned by interested parties at which time he could have easily refused any involvement by referring the responsibility back to the non-arresting officers. Instead, despite resistance from Troop B and mishandling by a sitting judge, he took command and relentlessly pursued justice which led to a new judge, a prosecution and a sentencing.

Without Trooper Lauretano’s proactive persistence, no one would have been served: Not the victim, not the offender and, equally as important, not our community. But, due to Mr. Lauretano’s advocacy beyond the call of duty, the victim received redress and a renewed belief in the system; the offender was given a strict probation and a strong reprimand from the new judge, essentially a second chance to become a law-abiding citizen; and our community can feel safer knowing that his efforts resulted in a deterrent for anyone contemplating a physical assault on another human being.

It has been occasionally alleged inside and outside of this paper that Salisbury has a trio of selectmen on both sides of the political aisle who all agree with each other. The mantra has been, “if it ain’t broke, why fix it”. Any political body void of opposing dialogue, debate or checks and balances begins to stray from democracy into hints of oligarchy. Therefore, maybe it is “broke” and needs fixing.

I believe Mark Lauretano will introduce a fresh perspective to our Board of Selectmen, while continuing to serve Salisbury with the same dedication demonstrated over many years as our resident trooper ... and without compromising, for political expediency, on what he believes to be just and fair.

Sumner Ireland
Salisbury

 

Yerks for Region One board
Yerks for Region One board

Both Republicans and Democrats have nominated competent candidates for election to the Board of Education, and I have no doubt that they are driven to transform the board and move Region One forward.

I am writing in support of Marilyn Yerks. Marilyn’s experience and commitment make her an ideal candidate for the Region One Board of Education.

With a financial management background and currently working as an adjunct accounting pro-fessor, Marilyn has a unique perspective to understand many of the challenges facing our Board of Education. Her experience as vice chair of the Sharon Center School Board of Education allowed her to be fully engaged in the issues facing our district and the plans to address them. As a parent, Marilyn is on the frontlines, hearing on a regular basis what’s going on in our schools. It’s time to elect people to the Region One Board of Education who have both the financial and educational experience that will help guide their decisions. Marilyn has that experience.

Marilyn Yerks has also proven her commitment to the Town of Sharon. Her leadership service on the Sharon Center School PTO, Sharon Day Care Board and Partnership for Young Children, for example, shows that she is committed to making a difference. Marilyn is an active advocate for children — speaking out on issues and offering not only opinions, but ways to affect change.

No one can predict exactly which issues will face the next Board of Education. A candidate’s stance on a current matter isn’t nearly as important as their ability to make decisions as we move forward with new issues. We need candidates who understand the educational system enough to ask the right questions, gather information, look at situations with an open mind, gather feedback from constituents and work for the best interests of our children and educators. From curriculum to transportation, and finances to administrative responsibilities, Marilyn Yerks has the experience and commitment we require.

Please join me in voting for the experience and commitment we need on the Region One Board of Education. Vote for Marilyn Yerks on November 8.

Doug Cahill
Sharon

Vote for Hudson for Sharon BOE

Darin Hudson is running for the Board of Education for the Sharon Center School. He and his wife, Stacy, are an excellent example of young families who move to Sharon and enhance their community in sundry ways. As working parents they enrolled their young children in the Sharon Day Care, and as the years ensued became very involved with education in the schools and other community efforts. Darin is always ready to lend a hand to the day care for renovations, budget advice, parental involvement in programs and fundraising efforts.

He has a strong background in creating and managing budgets for both his professional and volunteer involvement, giving him the necessary skills to deal with the economic challenges facing education today. Along with his business skills comes a deep commitment to the overall education of children in our community beginning with preschool years right on up through high school.  With his two daughters attending Sharon Center School, Darin has shown a keen and active interest in the achievement growth of youngsters as they proceed through the grades and prepare for life’s challenges.

Darin is also a chef and the associate director of the food service for Kent School. He extends his culinary talents in assisting the Sharon Day Care and the Sharon Center School PTO to raise funds. I have found working with Darin a pleasure; he is cordial, intuitive, rational and very willing to roll up his sleeves and get on with the task at hand.

Young families play a major role in creating a balanced demography in a community. They support us in sundry ways. We need to encourage and support their efforts. On Nov. 8, please vote for person and not party. Make your mark for Darin Hudson, Board of Education.

Janet Nickson
President
Sharon Day Care Board
Sharon

 

Elect Higgins to Salisbury P&Z

Salisbury has a walking encyclopedia of Planning and Zoning Commission history in member and former Chairman Jon Higgins. He has served on P&Z for almost 30 years and serves as a ready reference for what happened in the past and how it came about. Such knowledge facilitates our understanding of where we are today.   

Within the past two years Jon discovered a serious mistake in the zoning regulations in which a full paragraph from one section had been moved to another unrelated section towards the back of the book. Being always the consummate gentleman, Jon referred to it as probably being a “clerical error.” Considering that it made the original section of the law unenforceable, which benefited one powerful group in Salisbury to the detriment of another, others might think it had been deliberate. Be that as it may, Jon found and corrected the problem directly because of his past knowledge and understanding. I encourage my fellow citizens to vote for Jon Higgins once again as their candidate for Planning and Zoning so that we retain his services and knowledge.

Jon and I have disagreed on a number of issues over the years but he has never let that interfere with whatever the latest issue may be – he listens and researches carefully, always trying to be fair in his deliberations. Please cast your vote for Jon Higgins on Nov. 8 so that we can keep accessing his wealth of knowledge and benefit from his fair-handed deliberation.

Kathy Lauretano
Lakeville

 

Vote for yourself

As Election Day approaches and throughout the year, I encourage everyone to vote for themselves and be smart to ask for whatever kind of help one needs.

If one has questions, that’s a good sign of an open mind ready to benefit from challenges seen as opportunities. Whatever we learn, we can share with others, whether it’s how to assess a car problem, job situation, transportation, housing, school, work or relationship issue. Some people seem to have a sense of how to get their own life and health up and running, yet we exist in groups where we need others to help us at times.

The sign of interdependence is being played out in cities and towns around the world, from Occupy Wall Street to electing leaders who will empower the citizenry to make the most of their freedom and resources, whether social, financial, time or talent. There are some universal core values of safety and respect for all people, regardless of age, gender, class, race and many other factors. These are not always followed, and often a victim of discrimination has a hard fight to get back to square one. When there are breaks in a chain of fairness, the repercussions may play out for all who are part of that process, whether actively or inactively participating in wrongdoing.

All people can begin to accept that the corporate practices which buy and sell the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink and the land on which life depends are not acceptable any longer. We can realize our collective strength first in small groups, then in greater numbers. It may mean listening to people who have done their ecological homework, who have an appreciation for helping one another and who care about nature, animals, the less fortunate and the 99 percent who suffer the consequences of unhealthy corporate and corrupt influences in many fields.

All the best to “everybuddy” who can take time to vote for themselves daily by practicing respect for self, others and the greater good. May the elected leaders make every effort to ensure safety and secure basics for all citizens here and, as they are able, abroad as well. The world is counting on us all in many ways.  

Catherine Palmer Paton
Salisbury

 

Elect Tesoro for Sharon BOE

Election to the Board of Education and election to the Zoning Board of Appeals in Sharon should be a totally nonpartisan issue.

The basic question is who will look out for the citizens, including the children of Sharon, and, as importantly, our tax payments. In this regard, I feel Michael Tesoro will bring his lifelong experience, his clear thinking and his analytical mind to bear on all of the issues before both these boards.

This is why I feel that it is important for all voters to consider the individual’s qualifications rather than the party affiliation. For this reason I feel that Michael will — with his great energy and knowledge of the town in which he has resided for 36 years, the town where he and his wife have raised three children and the town where he has served on various commissions over the years — continue to provide great service.

One also should be mindful of Michael’s professional experience as an OB/GYN and his service both in the U.S. Armed Forces and the various offices he has held at the state and national level in his professional capacity.

In the final analysis, everyone should vote for the best person for the task at hand and not for the party slate.

Khurshed Bhumgara
Sharon

 

Salisbury BOE chairman appreciative of years

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the Salisbury Board of Education the past 12 years. Our boards over those years have accomplished much; from new windows and roofs to longer class days, extended kindergarten, more efficient budgeting and accounting and making world language part of the full curriculum for our middle school students.

But what I will take from the boards for which I served and the two principals with whom I worked most closely — Paul Sales and Chris Butwill — is our ability to accomplish the tasks at hand in an efficient and respectful manner. Our discussions were lively, pointed and effective — never condescending or bitter. We could agree to disagree and then honor the majority vote. Open and respectful communication is the key to the success this board has enjoyed.  If nothing else, that will be the lesson my tenure has taught me.

The current board has honored me by naming a new award for a graduating eighth-grader. The Roger Rawlings Community Service Award will be given to a member of the graduating class who has participated the most in community service while a student at Salisbury Central School. This is humbling. Thank you to all who contributed to make this award possible.

And thank you to the community of Salisbury; your continued support of the education of our children is what makes this town a joy to live in.

Roger Rawlings, Chairman
Salisbury Board of Education 
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