LETTERS: Why readers want you to vote for Dave Randall, Anne Dauphinais and Gabbi Labonte

Probate needs a fresh start

Many people have probably noticed the Labonte signs across the District 26 Probate Court which includes Pomfret, Putnam, Ashford, Woodstock, Brooklyn, Eastford, and Thompson and wondered about that election because it’s not ideological.

In the case of Probate Court, when we are faced with the dispiriting challenge of dealing with the death of a loved one, citizens find themselves subject to the services of the Judge of Probate Court.

We need a competent, compassionate, experienced probate attorney who has hands-on experience helping people through this challenging process and treating people with dignity and respect, including those in the legal profession with whom Gabbi has excellent professional relationships.

Please join me in voting for Gabbi Labonte to ensure that our Probate Court is about helping people with competence and compassion.

Donald DunningPomfret Center CT

Dave Randall – He supports our children and families

We need a change. We need a new voice! On Nov. 8, support Dave Randall for State Representative, 44th House District, serving Killingly, Plainfield, and Sterling. Dave will fight to protect our children and keep them safe in schools by protecting their rights for school safety, mental health support, and personal freedoms. He will work to protect healthcare choices for women and families. He wants to end extremism in local politics that we have seen for the last six years.

Dave has years of experience bringing people together and has successfully worked with people from all different backgrounds to get the job done. Dave served 27 years in law enforcement, starting as a patrolman and retiring as the chief in 2017. In his role as a police officer, he has encountered many situations that he has had to navigate, de-escalate and address. He will effectively work across the aisles to help us in the forgotten corner of CT.

Dave has the education and experience to help all of us. He earned his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University. Received a certificate from the F.B.I. National Academy Criminal Justice Studies, University of Virginia, F.B.I Training Center, in Quantico, VA. He was a union carpenter for seven years, Carpenter’s Local Union #94. He is an Army veteran (U.S. ARMY, 3RD Armored Division, 1/40th Field Artillery Regiment, Specialist (E-4), Hanau, Germany. Dave served in the Army National Guard for six years, Sergeant (E-5), R.I.

He has experience building relationships in the community. He developed and maintained positive community relations through various outreach initiatives: Founded, developed, and instructed the Department’s 1st Citizens’ Police Academy. He advised a Youth Police Explorer Post, developed the 1st Traffic Safety Program, and brought it into local schools.

He is fiscally responsible and has the experience to benefit all of us. He was responsible for a $2 million budget, two buildings, 18 vehicles, and various police equipment when he was police chief. He leveraged and managed over $250,000 in grant funding and equipment for department initiatives.

With all his experience, he gave back by teaching others as an adjunct instructor – Criminal Justice at the University of Rhode Island and a Killingly substitute teacher.

Dave is a small business owner, Killingly resident, property owner, and taxpayer. He supports the Second Amendment for civilians and responsible gun ownership. Dave is a civilian gun owner himself.

Kris CicchettiKillingly, CT

Dave Randall can bring people together

During this time of such division, it is exciting to learn that we have a candidate that has the ability and willingness to bring people together and make positive changes for our District. Dave Randall has never run for political office before but decided enough is enough and has stepped up for us. Dave is practical, approachable and open-minded. Dave is who we need representing us at this moment.

Dave has served our country as an Army veteran. He continued his public service in the Army National Guard. He spent 27 years in law enforcement, starting as a patrolman and working his way up the ranks to police chief. After retiring, Dave spent time substitute teaching in Killingly Public Schools and utilizing his journeyman carpentry skills to start up a home improvement business.

Dave is a local resident, property owner and taxpayer. As a father to seven children and grandfather to ten and counting, Dave understands the issues facing our local families. Dave has actively engaged in advocating for the mental health center at Killingly High. As a husband and also a father to daughters and granddaughters, Dave will work to support women's issues.

As a retiree, Dave understands the challenges of living on a fixed income. Our government currently does not work well for all of us. That's why I support the person and not a particular party. Things have not been going very well. Let's try something new. Please take time to look into Dave Randall. It is not every day that we have a candidate that is so grounded and who can appeal to both sides. On Nov. 8, please consider voting for change and vote for Dave Randall.

Ivy RossDanielson, CT

Plainfield First Selectman supports Anne Dauphinais

I am writing this letter of support for State Rep. Anne Dauphinais. I serve the Town of Plainfield as the First Selectman. Whenever we need support for issues in the Town of Plainfield, I don’t hesitate to contact Anne for her input and support. She has carefully reviewed each town issue and each bill that has been placed in front of her for an educated vote for or against issues that mean so much to our residents in not only Plainfield but in the State of Connecticut. I will not write anything negative about her opponent, except to say that Anne will constantly reach out to me while keeping up with the needs of our towns, and while campaigning for a job that represents all her constituents is of the utmost importance, I have yet to receive a call or visit from her opponent. Why? I believe that tells me all I need to know about who has your interest at heart.

For the voters of the 44th District, there is only one candidate that will stand up for you, be there for you, and have your interests at the forefront. That person in Anne Dauphinais.

Kevin M. CunninghamMoosup, CT

Vote Democrat on Nov. 8 for women's rights

The 19th Amendment, which guarantees American women the right to vote, was adopted on August 18, 1920. Women struggled for decades to pass suffrage acts and challenge male-only voting laws. Let’s be very honest about what is now happening in this country. Women’s rights are under assault! Women’s rights ARE ON THE BALLOT this year. For those fighting hard to oppress women, your rights end where our rights begin. Your beliefs, your religion, your convictions are yours and do not represent all women. In the United States there are more women than men. Women, you are not alone. Your voice matters. Your vote matters. I urge all of us to exercise our right to vote and vote Democrat on Nov. 8. Vote to protect the rights and bodies of your mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, and nieces; vote to protect your family and your friends. Let’s leave the world a better place than we found it. Women can’t afford to go back to a pre-suffrage era.

Vote Democrat on Nov. 8.

Lisa ArendsBrooklyn, CT

Take back our Constitution and watch the Nov. 1 debate

It is more important now more than ever to take back our Constitution, our country and our state. Look at where our country is now in comparison to where we were two years ago. Right now our country and our state are in an epic fail on so many levels. No matter what your party affiliation, we need to stop making decisions based on hate and look at our problems and solutions based on what works.

Clearly this is not happening. Our economy is in a recession, our government is overreaching into our finances, our education system and our constitutional rights. We need to come together to protect who we truly are as a nation regardless of our differences. This is the first step. With this upcoming election we need to vote with a clear common sense mind, not on political parties. Our freedoms are in danger. The high prices of gas, oil, electricity and food are affecting our ability to take care of our families. Our children are being divided by adults teaching through their actions of division and that is not okay. We need to teach that it's okay to have different thoughts and views. We need to teach that this is wrong. We need to teach that thinking differently is okay. We need to vote to change how our state is being run.

Don't just listen to the propaganda being fed to us, it is only meant to control us. Find your own facts. It does not matter what your political affiliation is, it does not matter what religion you practice, it does not matter where you stand financially.

What matters is we all have hopes and dreams and want for a better future for our families but more importantly we want for a better future for our children. We need to teach love of community, respect and acceptance. Think about when we the people vote in November, who we vote in affects not only our state but also affects where we are as a country. It is so very important that we take back our rights, our families and our finances. Remember your vote needs to count for where you want to be, your life depends on it.

The next debate is Nov. 1, 2022 Make sure you watch it.

Arleen BrownLedyard, CT

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: LETTERS: Reader endorsements for Dauphinais, Randall, Labonte in CT