LOCAL VOICES

Letter to Redding Pilot: Himes is the right choice this November

[Aug. 4, 2008] Jim Himes is interested in what the residents of Connecticut's 4th District have to say.

Mr. Himes recently concluded a series of town-hall style meetings--dubbed the "Listening & Leading Tour"-- during which he visited all 17 towns in the district to listen to the concerns of voters and to answer any questions they had for him. [On July 27], Jim was in Redding on the town green to listen to what we had to say. He took questions on everything from the economy and energy to health care and education and didn't shy away from the tough ones. He believes that rebuilding our public education system is a crucial issue, that having 47,000,000 without healthcare insurance is a travesty and that restoring America's reputation throughout the world should be one of our highest priorities.

Having been our representative in Congress for over 20 years, Chris Shays holds no leadership positions and has voted consistently with the Bush Administration, when much of the time it would have been responsible to do otherwise. We deserve better.

I urge you to visit Jim Himes' Website www.himesforcongress.com, where his detailed positions on many important issues can be found. If you believe our country needs to change course, please consider voting for Jim Himes to replace Christopher Shays in Congress this fall.

Sam Callaway, Sanfordtown Road