Community. Advocacy.
Representation. Education.
These are our guiding principles for how a Democratic majority will govern Ledyard.
Community
We must work together and focus on our shared values. We all drive the same roads, we want our kids to succeed in school; we should be able to be safe and healthy without going bankrupt; we want our tax dollars spent responsibly, and so much more.
In recent years, more and more, at every level of government, Republicans have stopped putting the community's needs before their own desire to convince us that everything is fine and nothing needs to change - as long as they are in charge.
We will put the town's needs first and listen to our constituents - not demand everything be done on our terms or not at all. We're all in this together. We must start with that in mind.
The first community-oriented actions we'll take involve getting community input on big decisions, and doing more than just the bare legal minimum to notify you of upcoming meetings, events, and votes/town referendums.
We will also work to rebuild the town's partnership with the Tribal Nation - they've been members of our community since its beginning.
We will also work quickly to broadcast that hateful actions are not welcome in Ledyard.
In recent years, more and more, at every level of government, Republicans have stopped putting the community's needs before their own desire to convince us that everything is fine and nothing needs to change - as long as they are in charge.
We will put the town's needs first and listen to our constituents - not demand everything be done on our terms or not at all. We're all in this together. We must start with that in mind.
The first community-oriented actions we'll take involve getting community input on big decisions, and doing more than just the bare legal minimum to notify you of upcoming meetings, events, and votes/town referendums.
We will also work to rebuild the town's partnership with the Tribal Nation - they've been members of our community since its beginning.
We will also work quickly to broadcast that hateful actions are not welcome in Ledyard.
Advocacy
Advocacy is a combination of Engagement and Outreach. We want more information, fewer surprises, and better decisions. With us, you'll get them.
Our town's government makes big decisions that impact our day-to-day lives, using our tax dollars. We deserve opportunities for input on those decisions and to work with our elected officials to reach responsible, community-supported decisions.
No more finding out about Town Meetings, budget votes, or big decisions after they happened.
The first Advocacy-oriented actions we'll take involve connecting the community to Town Hall.
We will re-structure the Community Relations Committee so it relates to the Community.
We will also review meeting dates and times, and commit to continuing the hybrid meeting option so that you get a chance to participate.
We will also set to work ensuring maximum participation and community input for the next budget vote. We want a budget that is not just "Fiscally Responsible", but also represents decisions that are supported by a greater part of the community than there has been.
Our town's government makes big decisions that impact our day-to-day lives, using our tax dollars. We deserve opportunities for input on those decisions and to work with our elected officials to reach responsible, community-supported decisions.
No more finding out about Town Meetings, budget votes, or big decisions after they happened.
The first Advocacy-oriented actions we'll take involve connecting the community to Town Hall.
We will re-structure the Community Relations Committee so it relates to the Community.
We will also review meeting dates and times, and commit to continuing the hybrid meeting option so that you get a chance to participate.
We will also set to work ensuring maximum participation and community input for the next budget vote. We want a budget that is not just "Fiscally Responsible", but also represents decisions that are supported by a greater part of the community than there has been.
Representation
"A Town For All of Us"
Not just a "Strong Community" - but more importantly, a Welcoming Community!
Ledyard is a growing, diverse community, and it is long past due that our town's government takes positive steps to embrace this. We not only need to reject hateful acts and groups, we need to positively welcome all who wish to live here.
A welcoming community is one where people feel they want to live and have the ability to move.
We get there by aggressively and responsibly growing our infrastructure within its existing potential, so that we have more housing options, safer transportation, and a broader tax base.
The first Representation-oriented actions we'll take involve working with our Hartford delegation to make sure we are exploring all possible avenues to fund projects in town, and getting bipartisan advocacy on things we need, from Grants and Bond-funded projects to the Education Cost Sharing and Mashantucket Pequot Fund.
We will also put the concerns voters have expressed to our candidates at the doors about housing, infrastructure, and transportation into our first agendas. We will review proposed projects to ensure the town is planning sensible and supportable projects, and that residents have a clear avenue to voice concerns for state-handled matters.
We commit to responding clearly, promptly, and properly should another hate group try to show up to spread its toxicity in our town again. We will look for opportunities to highlight and celebrate the diverse voices and communities among us.
You can't be for "Family Values" unless you value all families!
To quote Governor Lamont: "We don't want more taxes, we want more taxpayers!"
Not just a "Strong Community" - but more importantly, a Welcoming Community!
Ledyard is a growing, diverse community, and it is long past due that our town's government takes positive steps to embrace this. We not only need to reject hateful acts and groups, we need to positively welcome all who wish to live here.
A welcoming community is one where people feel they want to live and have the ability to move.
We get there by aggressively and responsibly growing our infrastructure within its existing potential, so that we have more housing options, safer transportation, and a broader tax base.
The first Representation-oriented actions we'll take involve working with our Hartford delegation to make sure we are exploring all possible avenues to fund projects in town, and getting bipartisan advocacy on things we need, from Grants and Bond-funded projects to the Education Cost Sharing and Mashantucket Pequot Fund.
We will also put the concerns voters have expressed to our candidates at the doors about housing, infrastructure, and transportation into our first agendas. We will review proposed projects to ensure the town is planning sensible and supportable projects, and that residents have a clear avenue to voice concerns for state-handled matters.
We commit to responding clearly, promptly, and properly should another hate group try to show up to spread its toxicity in our town again. We will look for opportunities to highlight and celebrate the diverse voices and communities among us.
You can't be for "Family Values" unless you value all families!
To quote Governor Lamont: "We don't want more taxes, we want more taxpayers!"
Education
Our schools are one of our 'crown jewels' and are the reason many people move here. We all want our children to have their best chance to achieve the American dream - public education is the best way to give them that chance.
Education is also a bedrock necessity for a healthy, functioning democracy. Education does, in fact, take a village - not just parents, but also teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, bus drivers, and so many more who work tirelessly every day so that America's future can be brighter.
Unfortunately, fewer and fewer Republicans believe this anymore. As a party, they've decided that public education is an obstacle to their success. Their view not only puts their desires ahead of our children's needs, it will also undermine one of the reasons this community thrives.
We believe that education must center on the success of the student, which means that parents and professionals work hand-in-hand, helping each other. It's one of the biggest investments all of our residents make.
No more being "proud of spending the least amount of money per student."
No more keeping our residents in the dark about how the town works.
Our first Education-oriented actions will involve not just students, but all residents. We will seek and use opportunities to tell you about how the government works, and how you can make your voice heard. Our community succeeds when we are all better-informed and actively engaged.
We will also set to work looking for ways to responsibly grow our educational options so that any family in town can feel like our schools are the ones for their students. We must take the first steps to improve how we invest in our students - not only ensuring we are maximizing our revenue and broadening our tax base, but by shifting our focus from "per student spending" to asking how we are giving our children the best chance at success.
Education is also a bedrock necessity for a healthy, functioning democracy. Education does, in fact, take a village - not just parents, but also teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, bus drivers, and so many more who work tirelessly every day so that America's future can be brighter.
Unfortunately, fewer and fewer Republicans believe this anymore. As a party, they've decided that public education is an obstacle to their success. Their view not only puts their desires ahead of our children's needs, it will also undermine one of the reasons this community thrives.
We believe that education must center on the success of the student, which means that parents and professionals work hand-in-hand, helping each other. It's one of the biggest investments all of our residents make.
No more being "proud of spending the least amount of money per student."
No more keeping our residents in the dark about how the town works.
Our first Education-oriented actions will involve not just students, but all residents. We will seek and use opportunities to tell you about how the government works, and how you can make your voice heard. Our community succeeds when we are all better-informed and actively engaged.
We will also set to work looking for ways to responsibly grow our educational options so that any family in town can feel like our schools are the ones for their students. We must take the first steps to improve how we invest in our students - not only ensuring we are maximizing our revenue and broadening our tax base, but by shifting our focus from "per student spending" to asking how we are giving our children the best chance at success.
