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Integrity, Common Sense, and Leadership

First Selectman Norm Needleman claims (“Essex Democrats Announce Party Platform,” Zip06.com, Sept. 20) that he and his running-mate Selectman Stacia Rice-Libby reject “toxic partisan politics.” His statement strains credulity.

Who can forget the sleazy, 11th-hour mailer that arrived at Essex homes during his run for first selectman several years ago? It was saturated with “toxic partisan” lies and, of course, arrived too late for his opponent Bruce MacMillan to reply to the falsehoods. His opponent was accused of planning to cancel funding for many programs that were backed by Essex citizens. That is how toxic partisan politics works; scare the constituency so it will not vote for your opponent. And just last year, during his unsuccessful run for State Senate, Needleman launched viperous false allegations against State Senator Art Linares. Needleman accused Art of misusing constituent’s addresses and phone numbers, and even more toxic and vile was the lie that Art was misusing campaign finances. If you have to lie and deceive to get elected, you deserve to lose.

Fortunately, Essex has another option for first selectman. Vincent Pacileo is extraordinarily qualified to lead the town of Essex. He has more than 37 years of public and private experience managing capital and human resources. During his most recent employment as chief administrative officer for the town of Stonington, Vin successfully worked across the aisle to cooperatively get things accomplished. He is a long time resident of Essex and has served as an Essex selectman. He is currently serving on the Essex Board of Finance. Pacileo is a very decent guy who has exhibited integrity, common sense, and leadership. He will need our support and our vote on Nov. 7 as it is extremely difficult to unseat an incumbent.

Alison Nichols

Essex