Political hopefuls focus on children

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Political hopefuls focus on children

October 01, 2006

By RAY HACKETT -- Norwich Bulletin

MIDDLETOWN -- They came from across the state, more than 200 parents, grandparents, caregivers and college students, not only to hear the candidates talk about issues affecting children, but, more importantly, to let candidates hear them.

Connecticut Parent Power hosted Saturday morning its first statewide forum for gubernatorial and congressional candidates, an opportunity to put forth a united voice of parents dealing with struggles of daily life.

"I think it's very important that the candidates know that parents have power," said Laura Lillian Dickerson, a mother and grandmother from Norwich. "And it lets us know we have power, and it lets the candidates know that our issues need to be addressed."

Connecticut Parent Power is a grassroots network with more than 800 members from 100 cities and towns. School funding, health care and early childhood education were the focus of the morning-long session at Middlesex Community College, topics chosen by a survey of the members as their "top concerns" for children and families in this year's election.

"This is what elections and campaigns should be all about," 2nd Congressional District Democratic challenger Joseph Courtney told a group of 40 from Eastern Connecticut. "When you're running for Congress, you spend too much time raising money for television ads, and we should be spending more time talking with people about issues that matter most to them."

The program was divided into two parts, the first focusing on the gubernatorial race and the second on the congressional races with participants divided into congressional districts.

Saturday was a big day for challengers, because no incumbents attended. U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District, and Democratic incumbent U.S. Reps. Rosa DeLauro and John Larson were forced to cancel because of votes scheduled Saturday in Washington.

But the biggest disappointment was Gov. M. Jodi Rell's decision to send Republican Lt. Gov. candidate Michael Fedele in her place. Her Democratic challenger, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, capitalized on that, assuring participants he will work with them if elected in November.

"Since I'm the only candidate who took the time to show up today, you can count on me," he told the crowd, pitching his proposals for universal health care, early childhood education and an increase in state funding for education.

"That makes a great impact as a statement," said Angela Cowan of South Windham. "DeStefano took the time to be here. Rell is always too busy -- and that makes a difference in my mind."

Cowan said she was impressed with DeStefano's plans for the future, and disappointed in the governor's representative, who only talked about the past.

"The governor has a very busy schedule," Fedele said in assuring the crowd Rell is aware of the concerns important to them, and taking steps to address them.

"What you're hearing here is a lot of promises, whereas she has delivered," Fedele said afterward. "If people really look at her record on education and health care, they'll see she has an outstanding record."