Valley businesspeople sipped coffee and munched doughnuts Thursday morning with most of the candidates running for legislative office in the area, learning what ideas they have for improving the business climate.
The breakfast session at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce drew about 50 businesspeople, and more than a dozen candidates who sat at a long table and discussed their backgrounds and economic concepts.
It was old-fashioned face time.
“I’d like to understand their positions on developing a better business climate and creating more jobs for the Valley,” said Gary Felberbaum, of Advanced Decisions Inc., a developer of custom software and hardware solutions. “I think there’s a good opportunity for high technology jobs, high tech,” he said before the event started.
The speakers included:
- Joe Crisco of the 17th State Senate District, an incumbent Democrat of Woodbridge, and his Republican opponent Tamath Rossi of Naugatuck;
- Republican Kevin Kelly of the 21st Sate Senate District, of Stratford, and his Democratic opponent, James Miron of Stratford;
- Rob Kane of Watertown, unopposed Republican in the 32nd State Senate District;
- Linda Gentile, Democratic incumbent of the 104th State Rep. District, of Ansonia, and her Republican opponent, Mary Porter of Derby;
- Theresa Conroy, incumbent Democrat of the 105th State Rep. District, of Seymour, and her Republican opponent, Len Greene Jr. of Seymour;
- Jason Perillo, incumbent Republican of the 113th State Rep. District, Shelton, whose Democratic opponent Elaine Matto, had another engagement;
- Themis Klarides, incumbdent Republican of the 114th State Rep. District, of Derby, and her Democratic opponent, Joshua Hershman of Woodbridge;
- Lawrence Miller, incumbent Republican of the 122nd State Rep. District, Stratford, and his Democratic opponent, Cheryl Jansen of Shelton.
David Labriola, incumbent Republican of the 131st State Rep. District, of Naugatuck, was invited but had another engagement.
The candidates were given the opportunity to answer questions in advance, in writing, or simply show up and answer the questions in person. The written responses were printed and copied for all the businesspeople to study and compare.
“Each year, we try to give the candidates an opportunity to meet and greet the local business community and vice versa, give our business community and opportunity to meet the candidates,” said Bill Purcell, president of the Chamber. “They address how they’ll deal with the state budget deficit, and how they’ll stimulate job creation.”
Besides ideas for the jobs and the economy, the candidates got to talk about their qualifications. Theresa Conroy, a freshman in the legislature looking for a second term, for example, talked about her experiences in nursing and leading a union.
“I have skills in negotiation and making compromises. We need to have that kind of dialogue, because it is not just Republican or Democrat, it’s all about making the state stronger,” Conroy said.
Greene, son of former longtime State Rep. Len Greene, talked about how he felt compelled to run.
“I was always taught that if you don’t like something that’s happening, you better do something about it,” Greene told the audience.
In his own career in public relations, he was laid off after buying his first home and had to find another job, so he was directly affected by the recession.
“There are a lot of things I’m not happy with in Hartford. I expect Hartford to do whatever it takes to help businesses in the state,” Greene said.
The printed responses are included in the document below.
