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Not Appropriate

Recently, I received a postcard with the headline, “Helping Seniors.” State Senator Art Linares, Jr., noted on the card that state funds had been invested in Essex Court Senior Housing Complex. This is a correct statement as Essex Court, a facility for senior affordable housing, has received a Small Cities grant from the state to continue a multi-year upgrade of a 30-plus year-old facility.

The postcard is, I believe, misleading as it implies that Senator Linares was involved in the Small Cities grant. He was not. Further, on another project for senior housing in Essex that is currently under construction, Essex Place, Senator Linares did write two letters to the Department of Housing in support of Essex Place, at my personal request. Even though the letters expressed support, Senator Linares voted against funding such projects. He was invited to the groundbreaking ceremony for Essex Place, but did not attend or respond to the invitation.

The real support for Essex Place has been from Phil Miller, our state representative, and our first selectman, Norman Needleman, who have contacted state officials on our behalf on multiple occasions. Mr. Needleman and his able town staff have successfully applied for and managed three Small Cities grants for Essex Court, without any involvement from Senator Linares.

I do not think it is appropriate for Senator Linares to imply that he has been instrumental in the Town of Essex receiving the Small Cities grant for Essex Court upgrades.

Janice M. Atkeson

Chair, Essex Housing Authority

President, Essex Elderly and Affordable Housing, Inc.