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Transparency, Accountability, and Oversight

My name is Chris Root and I along with my sister Renee Root Shippee are lifelong residents of the Town of Old Saybrook. My sister has served as a police commissioner for the past four years. Prior to running we both attended Police Commission meetings for years and when told she could not ask questions during public comment, she knew she needed to be a part of the commission in order to be heard.

Her time on the commission has not always been easy, but she never gave up. She takes her position very seriously and knows the importance of supporting the police officers while still being accountable to the people who elected her. Never one to back down from a challenge, she remains as committed today as she was on day one. She is a leader and is the person you want on your side. She’s the behind-the-scenes person who gets things done without concern for personal recognition.

Along with Commissioner Al “Chub” Wilcox, my sister has fought for transparency, accountability, and increased oversight. They have asked for easier public access to the police commissioners, a resurrection of the organizational and staffing study, a reformed donation policy, and a reformed citizen’s complaint policy. They requested that former employees be invited to speak to the commissions to help determine the causes of the high turnover rate.

I encourage your readers to support my sister, Renee Root Shippee, and her fellow Democratic candidates for the Police Commission this Nov. 2. The time for change is now.

Christopher M. Root Sr.

Old Saybrook