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Be Part of the Process

I feel compelled from having worked within the recent election process to say, “Step back and evaluate how you need to be involved to make a difference.” Who’s elected and in charge in the political world basically starts from the ground up. Do your readers know much about the representatives and senators who were on the ballot? They could be our next governor, affecting our daily life in Connecticut more than the president. When representatives hold forums in our area, do your readers go? Are they aware of important agendas, topics coming before boards and commissions, that will affect their town? Do they vote in primaries? Primaries shape our ballot choices. I encourage your readers to make it a point in the new year to pick a party so they can vote in primaries.

Do your readers support their local party and know who is on it, running it, or consider joining it? We all hear. “Why can’t we get good people in office?” We can, but they need our time and support. This year will be a municipal election year. Volunteers are needed for our local boards and commissions; everyone’s talents can make a difference from the ground up as the state passes problems back to towns. We all must assume personal accountability for how far people get up a political ladder—town to state, state to national—and avoid complacency.

While your readers make New Year’s resolutions, join new gyms, meet friends at coffee shops, and allocate their time in different directions, I encourage them to include an hour or two a month, or, start a rotation with neighbors, to attend monthly meetings, help candidates that will be coming forward, and be part of what can be a very dynamic and improvable process that will flow upward.

Selectman Carol Conklin

Old Saybrook

Carol Conklin is the regional election monitor for the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments.