Durham Democratic Town Committee

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A Strong Endorsement for Jim -

I would like to lend my strong support for the re-election of Democrat, Jim McLaughlin as our First Selectman. In his first term Jim has done an outstanding job of understanding the issues that face Durham and has acted to provide solutions.

This is the season of the major league playoffs and it seems appropriate to draw a baseball analogy. It’s the top of the 8th inning, your team is ahead by 10 runs and your pitcher has a no hitter going.  Would you pull the pitcher? I don’t think so. Why change Durham’s leader when he is doing a good job.

Jim’s campaign theme “Its all about Durham” reflects his way of operating as First Selectman.  His bold move of reaching across party line to endorse Republicans who he feels place Durham’s interest before partisan politics is indicative of how he governs.

These are all nice platitudes but let’s look at his accomplishments in just two (2) short years. He opened government by inviting the public to comment at Selectman’s Meetings at both the beginning and end. He appointed a non-partisan commission that updated Durham’s Town Charter for the first time in 25 years. The town now has a new procurement policy and it’s first Ethics Committee. Jim held the town budget to a zero increase in his first term and reduced it by 6.6% in his second year. He realizes how education costs are hurting everyone and testified in Hartford urging more state funding to offset Durham’s tax burden. He has worked closely with the Board of Finance to make the town budget more transparent and show clearly how our tax dollars are spent. He hired a full time professional finance director, used group purchasing programs, and new bidding procedures to save taxpayer money as well as reducing town hall and public works staff levels. He appointed a committee who has just reported on how to best utilize the properties abutting the firehouse to support and consolidate Durham’s emergency services. He had crosswalk signs installed to enhance pedestrian safety and has pressed the State Highway commission for ways to make our state highways safer for motorists. The Senior Tax Relief Committee he appointed has just come back with a twofold proposal for tax freeze or tax deferral to help seniors be able to stay in Durham. He is actively helping the Senior Citizens Board to find land for a long needed senior center. He worked diligently to complete the town hall renovation and he got the Durham Center water System project back on track and brought it to completion last month.

With this list of accomplishments we deserve to give Jim another term. Let’s not change strong management skills for administrative skills.

Hank Robinson

Durham First Selectman 1993 - 1997

Haddam Quarter Road, Durham

Letter of Endorsement for Jim

I am proud and privileged to endorse the reelection of Jim McLaughlin as Durham’s first selectman.  In the two years that he has led town government, we’ve seen a refreshing turnabout, a dramatic change from “politics as usual.”  Jim’s brought openness, accountability, and advocacy for all residents to the forefront of his service to the town he loves.  Whether a senior citizen fretting about taxes or an elementary school kid crossing the street, Jim has raised and acted upon the wide range of issues we face.  He’s done this while working cordially with members of the other party and listening with an open mind to residents, young and old, natives and newcomers.  With Jim and his running mate, Chris Flanagan, another intelligent, hard-working, and dedicated individual, Durham will continue to enjoy the benefits of small-town life that we all cherish.  Durham needs a strong, open, knowledgeable hand at the helm and, I for one, will vote for experience, dedication, and unflagging energy for the betterment of the place we call home.  Join me in supporting the McLaughlin-Flanagan ticket.

Sincerely,

Noël Higgins

530 Haddam Quarter Road