To the Editor:
Joe Bruno, there you go again, playing fast and loose with the facts. Devin Carney recently accepted a debate, pending the results of a primary, with the Westbrook Council of Beaches for the general election. He doesn’t step away from a challenge, but this particular “debate” you were referring to was being planned by Tim Griswold. Yes, the same Tim Griswold who wrote a nasty letter about Devin, and the same Tim Griswold who is Lanier’s deputy treasurer and top campaign advisor. Carney has no issues debating Lanier, but unfortunately, this appeared to be a last-ditch, biased attempt to jump-start her flagging campaign in order to tip the scales in her favor. This is not consistent with Republican values, and voters deserve better than gimmicky, “gotcha” politics.
Here’s a refresher – Devin’s opponent, as a Board of Education member, was the only person to vote “no” against beefing up front door access security at Lyme-Old Lyme elementary schools. Need proof? Check out the Board of Ed Minutes from December 5, 2012. In the wake of countless school shootings, this is unacceptable. Additionally, she sat silently by acquiescing to the district’s implementation of the controversial Common Core. And how about her vote to close the recently renovated (at great expense) Center School on Lyme Street despite strong and widespread parent and community opposition? She does not deserve our support.
I trust Devin to work for the people, and not for his own special interests. He has my vote on Aug. 12 in the 23rd House District Republican primary and I ask all voting Republicans that day to cast their vote for Devin Carney.
Sincerely,
John Johnson
Old Lyme
Editor’s Note: Joe Bruno’s letter, to which Mr. Johnson is referring in this letter, can be found at this link.
I agree with Vicki’s vote against beefing up security at our schools. I don’t believe that the expense increased the safety of our children. The doors at our schools are open prior to the start of the school day and open after the end of the school day allowing access to all.
On a typical day at the High School, anyone can enter the school at 7:00 without using our new security system, because there is no office staff at the school that early. When the staff arrives, the doors are locked and the buzzer system is enabled. Not as secure as we would all like to believe. Need proof? Try to enter any school and you will also see that although our increased security was for the right intentions, it does not create the desired results.
Vicki Lanier showed her true colors at the Board of Ed meeting on December 5, 2012. Please read the minutes as they show her character and willingness to stand up for what makes sense.