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10/18/2016 03:30 PMEssex Norm First Selectman Needleman, a Democrat, is running to fill the State Senate District 33 seat now held by Republican Art Linares, Jr.
Needleman is the CEO and Founder of Tower Laboratories, which he started more than 30 years ago; he currently employs 150 people in District 33. Prior to his election as first selectman, he served as an Essex selectman from 2003 to 2011, on the Essex Zoning Board of Appeals, and on the Essex Economic Development Committee.
“I am 65 years old. I started a business 37 years ago. Now I’m Essex first selectman. I reach across the aisles, and I love the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound,” he said of his reason for running at the Westbrook Council of Beaches (COB) Candidates Forum on Oct. 5.
In his online political profile at Zip06.com, Needleman said the first big challenge should he be elected would be to replace political bickering with constructive dialogue in Hartford.
“No one person or political party can solve all the issues facing our district and state. We need to foster an inclusive dialogue that encourages collaboration on practical solutions, regardless of political affiliation of their sponsor. My business and government experience have taught me that the engagement of all stakeholders is the only way forward,” wrote Needleman.
In response to a forum question about what he would do to support struggling shoreline households, Needleman said, “I employ an awful lot of people. I absolutely support a minimum wage. It inspires people like me to get creative in manufacturing to keep people here.”
On the question of how to keep Connecticut businesses from leaving the state, Needleman responded, “There is a problem with career politicians. I’ve balanced budgets in my business for 30 years and in our town. That’s what’s needed in Hartford to balance budgets.”
As to whether he would agree not to vote to raise taxes if elected, Needleman said, “I will not give a one-word answer. The tax situation is complicated. You need to do something about taxes and expenditures.”
Of the state’s difficult fiscal state, Needleman said, “We have a 10-year walk out of the woods. We need to provide jobs and grow the economy. We need to solve the problems for future generations.”
On the question of Education Cost Sharing grant formula—and the state judge’s ruling challenging it—Needleman said, “They do need to fix it, but it will take another 11 years. And we need to solve how we fund special education.”
Needleman said he was skeptical of the fiscal solutions proposed in the Republican budget plan.
“I did read that budget and there is a hocus-pocus in it. The underlying theme was that the state would have to become a right-to-work state,” he said. “Unions in our state are a strong force [so that plan] does not bode well.
In closing remarks at the COB forum, Needleman said, “I am the guy who has built a business, run a town. I’m a relationship-oriented guy. Donald Trump has brought out the worst in Americans. I am disappointed in Republicans who have endorsed him,” referring to Linares’s expressed support for Trump.