Political Mailbag

Westport Tea Party endorses Nitzy Cohen

We, the Westport Tea Party, are pleased to inform you that the Westport Tea Party has received official state recognition from the State Elections Bureau to place candidates on the ballot or to endorse any and all Westport candidates seeking local or state offices representing Westport.

It is our honest intention to endorse and/or place on the ballot any and all candidates who most represent the basic philosophy of the Westport Tea Party, which simply put, "calls for smaller, more efficient government along with a firm desire for less taxes -- through actual tax cuts and better government efficiency."

It will be our intention to support any candidate (regardless of party affiliation) who best represents these political views.

With that, the Westport Tea Party is pleased to offer our endorsement for state representative to Nitzy Cohen.

Nitzy Cohen understands the very deep fiscal trouble our state is in. It is our strong belief that Nitzy Cohen will bring to Hartford a voice that is loud and clear. She knows and understands that the projected state budget will bring a deficit of $3.5 billion, which means that on a per-capita basis, Connecticut will lead the nation in state government endebtedness.

Nitzy Cohen also knows from being a successful business woman that this situation is not sustainable and cannot continue without large tax increases on all of us. Therefore, the Westport Tea Party urges you, the Westport voter, to vote for fiscal responsibility by voting for Nitzy Cohen in the Aug. 10 primary and November election.

We must note that the Westport Tea Party is not the Westport Tea Association, though we wish them well.

Let us add that where the Westport Tea Party goes from here will depend on you, the Westport voter, and the support we receive within our community.

John Izzo

Westport Tea Party chairman

Westport

Send a `Super Woman'

to Hartford

Nitzy Cohen is running to be Westport's state representative and we should be so lucky.

Let me tell you, Nitzy is one amazing woman. Smart, educated, savvy, tenacious, energetic, courageous, sophisticated, dedicated and caring are only a few words that describe her. Business entrepreneur, owner of an international business, consultant to the USAID, governor's task force member, mother of three Staples graduates and volunteer to countless community organizations only describes a small part of what she does.

Nitzy will continue to amaze and do a great job for us in the legislature. Vote for Nitzy Cohen in the Aug. 10 primary and in November. Send a "Super Woman" to Hartford!

Jesse Blieberg

Westport

Nitzy understands

There are many reasons to vote for Nitzy Cohen as your next state representative.

Most important factors in candidate selection are their views and principles, followed by education and real world experience. Nitzy wins hands down, no contest.

She is the only fiscal conservative in this race and is committed to core Republican principles. Secondly, she is educated with a degree in economics and a master's in public policy/public administration. Most importantly, Nitzy is the only candidate who understands what it means to create economic value, start a business, create jobs, or meet a payroll. Nitzy is an entrepreneur. She understands how legislative policies negatively affect business decisions in the board rooms of Connecticut and companies considering relocation to Connecticut.

Nitzy is a small business owner. New business growth and job creation are contributed by small businesses. Connecticut is now a leader in jobs lost.

Nitzy will bring to the legislature business knowledge from a structured education and business experience. Vote for Nitzy -- your voice to support economic growth in Connecticut -- on primary day, Aug. 10, and on Election Day in November.

Burt Fried

Westport

`Rubin is Ready'

Who better to stand up for Westport in Hartford than Steve Rubin, a true Westporter?

Steve, who has worked for years for the Town of Westport, now he wants to "serve" the town of Westport. He knows the issues, knows the people and knows what's going to make Westport, well, "Westport" again.

His opponent might be well connected to money, powerful people and she might "look like a player," but Steve Rubin is the real deal when it comes to knowing what Westporters want. He is committed to keeping us on track, with old-school values (family, honor, integrity, humility and fiscal responsibility) that will ensure that Westport continues to be a great place to live, work and play.

On Aug. 10, come out and vote for Steve Rubin for Republican state representative. He has my vote!

Joe Grushkin

Westport

Nitzy: a true friend

to seniors

Nitzy Cohen is running to represent all of us from Westport in the state legislature. Let me tell you, seniors will have no better friend in Hartford than Nitzy, because she understands the financial pressures seniors face and she has a plan to help.

She knows that the most important thing to seniors after their health is whether they are going to be able to financially survive with dignity and will they have a dime left to pass on to their children. She understands that many seniors have to make it on fixed incomes and are crushed by taxes.

Nitzy is the only candidate for the legislature who has a detailed plan to help seniors, which includes eliminating the estate tax or "death tax." This is a cruel tax that robs seniors of their hard-earned money saved to pass on to their loved ones. Realistically, as an economist, Nitzy knows that the estate tax raises little revenue and drives seniors out of Connecticut to more tax-friendly states, which probably makes the death tax really a net revenue loser.

Her plan for seniors also calls for eliminating the income tax on the pensions of seniors. Connecticut is one of only four states that taxes pensions and Nitzy will fight to end it. Her plan also calls for eliminating the conveyance tax for seniors when they do sell their home and want to "down size." For most seniors, their home has been their primary investment and is their safety net for their retirement years.

These are "bread and butter" issues for seniors and are the things that really matter. Nitzy will fight to help seniors keep the income and savings that is rightfully theirs. I almost forgot to mention that Nitzy also delivered "Meals on Wheels," is a supporter of the Friends of the Senior Center and an advocate for senior housing here in Westport that involves the private sector and that is financially sound.

We need Nitzy's strong voice fighting for us in Hartford so please vote for Nitzy in the Aug. 10 primary and in the general election.

Jacquelin E. Mullin

Westport

Nitzy Cohen will be

a force in Hartford

The Connecticut state budget is facing a $3.5 billion deficit and $50 billion of unfunded pension liabilities for state workers. In addition, Westport taxpayers receive only a penny back for every dollar we send to Hartford. While we send huge sums to fund other school districts in the state, we are forced to pay ever-increasing property taxes for our own schools.

I urge you to vote for Nitzy Cohen for state representative on Aug. 10, because she is determined to face these and other problems head on. Nitzy is a fiscal conservative who will make a difference at a time when the status quo is no longer tolerable.

An economist and a successful business person, Nitzy is committed to bringing jobs back to Connecticut. She understands the relationship between lower taxes, job creation and increased state revenues and pledges to help transform Connecticut into a go-to state for companies looking for a favorable business climate. Driving down the Post Road and observing the hundreds of "Space Available" signs should be enough to convince every voter that Nitzy's focus is vital. Her election may mean the difference between a thriving Westport and a Westport that is in an even tighter financial vice.

Nitzy is committed to making the needs of the people in her district her top priority. She is fearless and outspoken at a time when playing by the old rules will only dig Connecticut deeper in debt. You can be sure that Nitzy will bring her unique style to Hartford and that she will always stand up for the interests of Westport.

Judy Block

Westport

Nitzy is change we need

Westport is fortunate to have Nitzy Cohen running for state representative.

Over the past few years I have come to know her as a passionate and strong advocate for Westport. Those who know her, know she is a fighter. That's what it's going to take to reverse two decades of overspending by a Democrat-controlled Connecticut legislature.

For 20 years the legislature has lined the pockets of the state workers' unions while making it tougher and tougher for businesses to stay here. The largest employer in Connecticut is currently the state. We now face a nearly $4 billion budget shortfall due, in part, to unfunded pension liabilities to these same state employees. We need private sector jobs not public sector jobs. The sad result is that CNBC recently ranked Connecticut 47th out of 50 for the cost of doing business.

Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. It's time to do something different. I urge all Republicans to vote for Nitzy Cohen in the Aug. 10 primary and all Westporters to vote for her on Nov. 2.

Steven Violette

Westport

Nitzy knows jobs

We need Nitzy Cohen as our next state representative.

Connecticut is bleeding jobs. We are leading the nation in jobs lost and trailing in new job creation.

Nitzy Cohen is an entrepreneur, innovator and international business woman. She knows a heck-of-a-lot about what attracts companies to a state, what makes them want to expand and also why almost every company that can, wants to leave Connecticut or expand elsewhere.

Nitzy teaches business development skills to third world women for USAID so that they can start their own businesses. Why not let Nitzy teach those men in Hartford a thing or two about what it means to create a job, not destroy thousands? God knows they can use it. We need Nitzy in Hartford sooner rather than later.

Please vote for Nitzy in the Aug. 10 primary and in the general election. You will be doing yourself and your family a favor.

Desiree Soli

Westport