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Health & Fitness

22 Days to decide!

Election day is just 22 days away. Campaign signs are popping up, the attacks in the press and on line are getting more intense and New London is bracing for what will determine the course of the city for many years to come.

Every election year people say  that the voters must choose carefully because the decision “this year” is more critical than ever. On Election Day 2013 that may be truer than ever before in New London.

It was requested that a listing and breakdown of the candidates be put together and posted.  With lots of input and opinions from others this is what we have for council candidates.  To avoid and perceptions of favorites the order will be alphabetical.

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Efrain Dominguez- A polite and likeable guy who has great ideas and plans for improving the education system for our children, what about fixing the problems on the city side of the house? Efrain is quite active in youth programs in New London. But that is a job for a Board of Education candidate, there is nothing really that the city council can do about that. Maybe he should be running for the Board of Ed with his educational background.

Dennis Downing- A nice guy like a LOT of others. Dennis has a numbers of good ideas they seem a bit scrambled and that is likely from the tempo of the political race. Dennis has put in time and effort to get referendums and demand some level of accountability.  Dennis has put a lot of time and energy into trying to make things better in New London. The question for voters is if Dennis is ready to sit on the City Council.

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Mike Doyle- Mike has been around a long time and he has run for office many times. This may just be his time in the sun. Mike knows the city and the people. Mike is aware of how the political process works.  Mike is active and energized, as he has always been. Is the city ready for a change from the old guard to new faces?

Marie Friess-McSparran- An incumbent City Councilor who was abandoned by the Democratic party because she thinks that her loyalties are to the people of New London and the best interests of the city. Marie seems to be getting the bulk of the press this campaign season. This is usually a result of fear by an established political powerhouse that sees a huge threat or it is the result of pure incompetence. It is pretty clear that fear from the existing or former political power house is the reason. Are the voters ready to continue down the path that Marie has blazed as an independent thinker and advocate for the people?

Wade Hyslop- An incumbent who has more experience in the political arena than any one else running. Wade knows politics and the players. Wade has voted more often than not with the wishes of the mayor and administration. Specifically Wade has opposed the Charter Review Commission each time it has come up. The question that voters need to ask themselves is are these votes in direct contradiction with the best interest of the people and the city? Is the city better off today than before this strong mayor took office?

Sheila Lea- I must admit that I have no idea who this candidate is. Rumor is she has dropped out.

Carl Lee- Everyone knows and loves Carl Lee. Damn he rebuilt our board walk at Ocean Beach, he patrols our streets at night to help keep us all safe. Carl is a true advocate for New London and for the youth of the city. Is Carl qualified to sit on the City Council? He is no less qualified than any other candidate. An advocate for public safety, the voters of New London could do much worse than putting Carl on the council.

Laura Natusch- Laura Natusch is a new face to politics in New London. Laura made her early appearances as a supporter of the new strong mayor and has been an unconditional supporter since the administration took office. As a member of the City Council there is a role of checks and balance in the strong mayor/city council form of government. Can an unconditional supporter of the mayor and administration actually perform the duties of a councilor and check or balance to the power of the administration? This is the question that the voters must answer.

Anthony Nolan-Anthony Nolan is an incumbent City Councilor,  former Board of Education member. Anthony has been a consistent supporter of the mayor and administration with little opposition to anything that the mayor wants. Anthony is a city employee, as a police officer were his votes against Charter Review Commissions self serving, blind support of the administration or does he truly believe that Charter Review in not necessary? Should city employees continue to be allowed to serve on the city council? The voters must decide these questions.

Marty Olsen- As a former City Councilor and former ceremonial mayor Marty has demonstrated his concerns and commitment to the city and people of New London over and over.  Marty is popular and loved by much of the city. Marty believes in the strong mayor form of government but Marty wants to open the charter and fix the problems that exist in the governing document that New London is supposed to operate by. The voters must again decide if now is the right time to put Marty back on the city council.

Mike Passero- An incumbent and current president of the City Council Mike has had his time in the limelight. Mike is a city employee, as a fire fighter were his votes against Charter Review Commissions self serving, blind support of the administration or does he truly believe that Charter Review in not necessary? Should city employees continue to be allowed to serve on the city council? Some believe that as Council President Mike should have done more to enforce the charter, but was that actually part of his duties?  

Erica Richardson- Another new face to New London politics. Erica seems to shy away from the discussion when it comes to her plans and goals if elected to city council. There seems to be a lot of baggage as well as a predisposed desire to support the mayor and administration no matter what the consequence. Can New London survive a council filled with unconditional supporters of the mayor and administration?  

Keith Robbins- A new face to New London politics but a seasoned politician and municipal leader from Southeastern Connecticut.  If more people in New London knew and understood Keith is it possible that he would be one of the two top vote getters on November 5th? People should take the time to seek out and sit down with Keith. Keith has a wealth of knowledge and experience that may be of benefit to New London.  

Ronna Stuller- A former Board of Education member and hardcore Green Party member, Ronna has many progressive ideas and beliefs. Sitting down with Ronna would be worth the time. A voter needs to see and understand just what the other and progressive side has to bring to the city. Only then will it be clear and easy to decide what works best for New London. Has the progressive mayor and his actions worked for you and the city.  

Katelin Teel- Katelin is a new face to New London politics but not to the City of New London. Katelin is passionate, energetic and determined to get to the bottom of things. A self described” numbers girl” Katelin has dug into the budget and identified many problems. Does New London want another independent minded and intelligent woman on the City Council?  

Mike Tranchida- The former City Clerk, does anyone know the workings or operations of the City of New London better? Mike was canned by the new strong mayor and yet ended up as a council candidate on the democratic ticket. What does that mean? Did the Democratic Party have trouble filling seven slots after booting an incumbent and very popular candidate? Mike may be a great asset to the new city council.

Bill Vogel- A familiar face in New London politics Bill has experience that demonstrates that he has the leadership skills to complete a job, any job. Bill was a commanding officer of a United States Navy nuclear submarine. Who else running for City Council has that on their resume? The level of competence and responsibility that is required for the captain of a nuclear submarine cannot be matched anywhere. Bill Vogel may be just what the city needs in a councilor, a get the job done proven leader cannot be a bad thing from any perspective.

There are tough decisions to be made by the voting public in New London in just 22 days. There are three incumbent candidates that followed the mayors’ every wish and desire including refusal to open the charter and bring the mayors’ and administration under control, all agree that the charter has problems that need to be corrected yet three incumbents refuse to allow a charter review commission to be seated. There is one incumbent that has stood up as the poster girl for the voice of the people of New London voting for the best interests of the people no matter what the consequences politically. Then there are thirteen other candidates some with great things to offer and others with much less to bring to the table.

Simply put do the voters of New London want more of the same that has happened over the last two years or do the voters of New London want to move towards a better New London one that can thrive and prosper with the right people in place on the City Council.

THE VOTERS WILL HAVE TO DECIDE!

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