Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/category/voice/letter-to-the-editor/page/20/)
After reading Kim Becker’s October letter to the editor, I must make a number of comments in support of the Granby Public School System. In her letter, she states that “Granby schools are not stagnant; they are in full decline.” Ms. Becker bases this opinion statement solely on the recent standardized test scores, namely, the SBAC and the SAT.
My husband, two young children and I moved to West Granby just over four years ago. Through school activities, sports and community events, we’ve gotten to know the people of Granby to be diverse, hard-working, caring—and particularly, people who want to be heard—people who want to matter when it comes to the complex issues we’re facing today.
In this spirit, it is apparent Granby is overdue for representation on the state level by someone who truly reflects our values and who will stand up and work for the issues important to our community.
Last month, Eric Lukingbeal wrote an important op/ed piece describing how, as it currently stands, the legislature can sell, swap or give away public lands such as state parks, forests and even state-owned farmlands without public knowledge or input.
Protocol calls for a public hearing, but at the end of a legislative session, the rules can be ignored, and that is when many of these transactions take place.
The only way to make sure there is a public hearing before any of our land is taken away is to amend the State Constitution to require the public hearing. The amendment also contains the clause that any proposed legislation must pass by at least two-thirds of the House and the Senate.
During last Tuesday night’s debate (Sept. 25) between Amanda Webster and Bill Simanski, organized and presented by GMHS Honors Civics Class, it was apparent that Bill is running on his record of helping the state accumulate 4.6 billon dollars of debt.
The Friends of the Granby Public Library completed its 36th Annual Used Book Sale in September on a beautiful weekend that included other major events both in Granby and Simsbury. I am pleased to note that we had the best book sale ever, raising $10,600.
We started with a record number of donations, a large and enthusiastic sorting staff that operated during June and July, and a board that worked side by side with all throughout not only the sorting time, but the sale itself.
As a member of Granby’s older generation, I can’t overstate how enthusiastic I am about Amanda Webster’s candidacy to be the 62nd District’s next State Representative.
As I’ve grown older over the last few years, I have noticed that the elders of our town are more and more forgotten by our state and local representatives. There are significant issues on the horizon for us, from health care to transportation to rising taxes and the end of our work life.
Our family is very excited about the proposed Kearns Community Center. We have spent some time with the members of the steering committee and the ideas they’ve generated are fantastic.
I recently heard a local talk show host suggest that most people cannot name their state representative or senator. If you live in Granby, your state representative and state senators have been in office for a very long time.
This is an extremely important election for the citizens of the State of Connecticut and for our town. For decades, our legislature has spent too much and saved too little to pay for the state’s obligations.
I write in support of the candidacy of Annie (Wosko) Hornish for the position of State Senator. Annie has demonstrated her qualifications for this position through her strong local commitment and her effective state experience.
I was fortunate enough to work with Annie as a fellow commissioner on the Granby Charter Revision Commission.