Editor's note: These letters to the editor in support of state Rep. Terrie Wood's re-election were recently emailed to Darien Patch. Darien Patch expects to publish all letters to the editor of reasonable length (but "reasonable" can be very long).
Advocate for the Environment
May 3
To the editor:
Terrie Wood's announcement that she will stand for a third term as state representative for Darien and Rowayton is a great gift to our community.
Terrie has an outstanding record of civic service to our area dating back more than 20 years. As a founder of the Darien Environmental Group,and former President of the , Terrie has been a tireless advocate for the environment and open space preservation.
In her two terms as state representative, Terrie has ably represented the concerns of our community in a professional and compassionate manner. Her work on the Education, Environment, and Appropriations committees has demonstrated her knowledge of the issues facing the state and our towns while seeking fiscally responsible solutions.
Terrie Wood's re-election for a third term as state representative for Darien and Rowayton will ensure continued sound and balanced representation of our community in Hartford.
Beverly Kelsey
Thank-you for state Law 387
May 7
To the editor:
Last year I worked closely with State Representative Terrie Wood
in crafting a state law requiring trailing drivers to stay 100 feet
behind any ambulance in lights and sirens mode. When I first expressed
my concern to Mrs. Wood about what I thought was a constant danger to
our patients and emergency medical personnel, I was simply voicing a
frustration. I never thought that solving this problem was possible,
until Mrs. Wood said, "Let's do something about it."
Mrs. Wood understood that a solution was important to ensure the
safety of members and its patients. The process of getting the
bill approved took over a year and at times seemed unattainable. Mrs.
Wood's constant perseverance and unwavering support for the bill was
the key to its success. The one thing of many that I took away from my
experiences with Mrs. Wood was that she always treated me as an adult,
even though I was only 16. She treated me with great respect, which
was comforting because when I testified for the bill, other
representatives could not see past my age.
Mrs. Wood never lost sight of what was important, which was making
a change for EMS services, but more importantly our community and
citizens. She was dedicated, tough, caring, and taught me the value of
these qualities in bringing needed changes forward. The bill became
State law #387 in October of 2011.
Emily Close
President of Darien EMS - Post 53
Fought to Get State Spending under Control
May 7
To the editor:
As I heard the good news that Terrie Wood declared to run for re-election to the Connecticut House of Representatives, I am comforted that sometimes good people do indeed finish first.
For the four years that she has represented Darien, she has worked tirelessly for the interests of our town. A fiscal conservative, she has battled to try to get state spending under control. She knows how important it is to try to re-establish a positive business friendly environment in Connecticut so that our kids have some hope of finding a job in our state and our older citizens don’t need to move out of state to avoid high taxes.
As former head of the Board of Finance in Darien, I am especially pleased that she meets with the leaders of our town on a monthly basis to know the issues we are confronting and then tries to help us where she can in Hartford.
Most importantly, she is a woman of integrity at a time when we need that more than anything in our leaders. She has reached across the political party divide and supported issues where there could be bipartisan solution. She has voted in favor of loosening antiquated liquor restrictions, and has been a strong advocate of environmental stewardship.
Terrie deserves our support.
Murry Stegelmann
A Voice of Reason in Hartford
May 7
To the editor:
As two voters who are not registered Republicans, we offer our enthusiastic endorsement of Terrie Wood's candidacy for State Representative in Connecticut's 141st District.
We are bone weary of the partisan political bickering that has become a critical impediment to the ability of our government to properly serve and protect its constituents. Terrie is a beacon of light and reason in this difficult political landscape. She represents the interests of all those she represents, not just those of the members of her own party.
Her fair-mindedness, balanced understanding of issues, and focused listening skills have earned her the respect of Republicans and Democrats alike in the General Assembly.
Of particular note, Terrie brings support for reasoned, moderate fiscal policy, passion for protecting the environment, an articulate voice to efforts to reshape the state's affordable housing statute, and a fierce commitment to seeing that our children's educational needs are well served and met.
We encourage you to join us in support Terrie Wood’s re-election as state representative.
Margot Hand and Bob Anderson
