Board of Selectmen, John Rizza: September 29, 2023

To the Editor:

My Irish and Italian grandparents immigrated to this country seeking a better life for their wives and children. They had been told of the great promise of jobs and opportunities in America. They were young, foolish and intent on giving their wives and children a new life in the land of opportunity and promise.These men traveled ahead to find work and housing and when they had the funds they sent for their families. Undeterred they set sail for America.

When Nunzio (that would be my Italian grandfather) arrived at Ellis Island he had spent twenty-three days in the hull of the ship, the staterooms were all full. He had seven dollars in his wallet, but that never deterred him from the land of promise and opportunity waiting for him in America. I can't imagine what it felt like for this young farmer when he first viewed Lady Liberty, an innocent young man whose hopes and dreams reverberated for generations to come. Inscribed at the base of the statue are the words "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore."

I can hear the readers of this letter asking "what the hell does this have to do with running for the Board of Selectman for Marlborough?" we're getting to that. My world was shaped on the backs of these men and the sacrifices that they endured.

These young immigrants faced difficult challenges when they reached the shores of America, but they never gave up. Signs on shop windows read “Irish not apply”, the countless denials for work if you couldn’t read or write in English. Undeterred they labored for long hours and little pay. Always in the back of their minds to make a better life for their children in this land of promise.

Somewhere along the line we have forgotten the words of Lady Liberty. My intent is clearly not to return to the good old days, but we’ve seemed to have lost our focus on the tenets this country was founded on, I’ll forgo quoting the Bill of Rights.

As your Selectman, I intend to focus on building consensus and never ignoring the hard work and sacrifice that our immigrant grandparents made to instill that all citizens have the right “to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Sincerely, John Rizza

Candidate for Marlborough Board of Selectmen

Board of Finance, In Support of Karen Pakulis Paul: September 29, 2023

To the Editor:

I am writing to enthusiastically endorse Karen Pakulis Paul for the Marlborough Board of Finance (BoF). Karen’s training and work experience in finance provide her with extensive knowledge of taxes, setting and tracking budgets, and maintaining capital projects. Her work on the BoF as an alternate ensures that she is familiar with Marlborough’s financial matters, able to provide valuable insight and expertise immediately. Equally important is the fact that Karen attends BoF meetings, is actively engaged in matters before the Board, is committed to understanding the implications of budget proposals, and is deeply concerned about the financial viability of Marlborough.

Karen has further demonstrated her commitment to ensuring the long-term health and wellbeing of Marlborough residents by her active participation in the town’s Sustainable CT initiative. Her insight into the issues that are relevant to ensuring that Marlborough can attract new businesses and young families while addressing the needs of our seniors, and her willingness to research and thoroughly understand the issues under consideration have been vital to the team’s efforts. I have been especially impressed with her organizational skills, which have been essential for our team’s efforts to monitor various initiatives. Her attention to details has enabled us to keep on track, and to meet important deadlines. I particularly appreciate Karen’s commitment to ensuring open communication with the residents of Marlborough, which is one of the initiatives in the Sustainable CT program that Karen is spearheading. That commitment to open lines of communication is also crucial for all members of the BoF.

Please cast your vote for Karen for Marlborough BoF on November 7th .

Sincerely,

Peggy Golfin, Marlborough

Planning Commission, Joan O'Connell: September 29, 2023

To the Editor:

My name is Joan O’Connell and I’m running for Marlborough’s Planning Commission as an endorsed Democratic candidate. I grew up in Marlborough, as did my five children and now 2 of my seven grandchildren are here too! My long career as a nurse fits well with the Planning Commission and its offshoot Sustainable CT. Good health, whether it be for yourself, family, or community is very important to me. I’ve found the best way to attain and maintain that, is through preventative measures. Promoting good exercise habits—such as our new sidewalks, which will soon encircle our lake. Working toward bike lanes throughout town. Encouraging good water and land care, like composting and use of rain barrels (which can decrease our landfill costs down the road). They can also support community gardens, which in turn encourage healthier diets.

There are a lot of good things happening in Marlborough! If I am elected, I promise to keep working on the good health of our community through listening and open communication. Thank you,

Joan O’Connell Marlborough

Candidate for Planning Commission