House Rep Candidate Stumps in Haddam

More than 60 Haddam residents turned out at the Haddam Town Hall earlier this week in support of Philip Miller, the Democratic nominee for the vacant 36th district State Representative seat.

The 36th district consists of the towns of Haddam, Chester, Deep River and Essex, and was previously represented by James Spallone, who was recently named Deputy Secretary of State. 

Miller is serving his fourth term as First Selectmen in Essex.

Miller addressed the audience about his ideas and direction. He feels the most important goal at the regional and state level is to reduce costs and raise revenues. “We do have to cut our costs before we can invest in other things,” said Miller. “But, we have to do these things carefully.”

Miller said he believes one common-sense approach to decrease costs would be to combine and streamline state agencies.

“There is ample room to lump together a lot of agencies,” Miller explained.  “We need to improve our revenues and do business but redefine and realign our government.”

 When asked what he could do for Haddam specifically, Miller explained that Haddam deserves to make some progress.  “There are some really great grassroots efforts going on here, such as the Higganum Vision Group, and I’d like to see them be encouraged to come up with some regional consensus on regional projects and help them get town backing and grant funding.”

Speaking with some of the residents, “experience” was the word mentioned by all. Democratic Committee Chairman Sean Donlan expressed this sentiment, noting, “Phil has a wealth of experience, and has proven to work with others to resolve issues.”

Lon Seidman, from Essex, mirrored Donlan. “Phil is ready to do this job. He has a record of reducing the size of local government, running a small town successfully with balanced budgets for the last eight years, and working with state officials to get things done not only for Essex, but the region, too.“

Former 36th District Rep. Spallone stopped by to express his gratitude and voiced his support for Miller.

 “It has been an honor and a pleasure to represent Haddam for the past eight years,” said Spallone.

“Phil is one of the very best selectmen in the whole state of Connecticut,” added Spallone. “He is prepared, knows the issues and has been an innovator in the town of Essex and is always working with the other towns on regional issues.”

Spallone expressed how instrumental Miller has been in the region.

“Heading up Middlesex Revitalization Commission, heading up the Middlesex County Selectmen’s Associations; so, he’s not just a product of Essex he is a product of this region,” explained Spallone. “He will be ready to hit the ground running.”

The special election is set for Feb. 22.

The Haddam Registrars of Voters’ Office is open every Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. On Feb. 18, it will open from 9 a.m. to noon.

To vote in the Special Election on Feb. 22, the voter registration deadline is Feb. 8 unless those whose rights as to age, citizenship or residence mature after this date may apply in their Town Clerk or Registrars of Voters office on a daily basis until the limited session on February 18  or at such limited session which closes at noon Feb. 18.

Absentee ballots may not be issued on Election day, except in the case of electors who suddenly become ill within six days immediately preceding the close of the polls at the election or who are patients in a hospital within such six-day period, may be issued an absentee ballot up to the close of the polls. In order to be cast at an election, the absentee ballot must be received by the municipal clerk before the close of the polls.

Polling locations:
District #1 and #2, Haddam Firehouse, 439 Saybrook Road (Route 154), Higganum
District #2 RSD #17, Central Office, Little City Road, Higganum
District #3, Haddam Neck Firehouse, 50 Rock Landing Road, Haddam Neck