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Dear Editor,

I support Chris Barnes in the 19th!

At a time when the political discourse in our country seems to have reached a new partisan low, Chris Barnes is the exception to the rule and the type of candidate all voters should be supporting. I speak from personal experience about his work, dedication to doing what is right and his willingness to reach across the aisle and represent ALL voters.

I first met Chris when he came by our home while campaigning for West Hartford Town Council. At the time my neighborhood was engaged in a battle with the CT DEEP over work that was happening involving dredging, tree and debris removal from Trout Brook near our homes. Most of us in the neighborhood that felt we were not getting any answers from DEEP and were also not hearing anything from most of the Town Council members. Chris came into our home and listened to our concerns, talked with us about potential solutions and asked how he could help. He did not ask “Are you Republican or Democrat?” That did not matter, what mattered to Chris Barnes was that someone he represented needed his help.

While some other elected officials would not return phone calls, emails or engage us in discussion, Chris attended neighborhood meetings and got involved and demanded answers from the town and the state. He was working FOR us while others didn’t even want to acknowledge us. Thanks to the efforts of Chris and others, we were able to force DEEP and the town to talk with us and listen to our concerns and address them.

As a lifelong Democrat, I am proud to endorse Chris Barnes in his campaign for State Representative in the 19th District and urge you to vote for him on Election Day.

Paul Palmer
West Hartford