Letter To The Editor: 'In Support of Raghib Allie-Brennan'

Politics is often unfairly maligned as being a career for those who talk a big game, make empty promises, and seldom deliver. Fortunately for all of us in Bethel, whether in the 2nd District or not, that stereotype couldn’t be further from what we know Raghib Allie-Brennan to be.

Raghib has made serving his constituents his top priority, and he has accomplished much in these two years by listening, and then by doing. One issue that has become very important to my family and me is fighting against the concept of “student lunch debt” in our public schools – that children might be forced to accrue a negative balance and the stigma associated with it because they and their families may not be able to afford meals. Food insecurity is a real issue in Connecticut: Over 400,000 people struggle with hunger, and over 117,000 children are food insecure, according to the Connecticut Food Bank.

My husband and I sought to have a conversation with Raghib to see what could be done at the state level. Raghib listened and later let us know he introduced a bill that would ensure no child is denied a meal if they have no money in their lunch account to protect students from stigma in the cafeteria, and provide guidelines for school districts in the state to use public or private parties to help eliminate unpaid meal debt. Raghib simultaneously organized an event at J. Lawrence Downtown in March to raise awareness and funds to help students right here in our community, which we attended. Unfortunately, the pandemic canceled the 2020 legislative session. I know that Raghib will continue the work in the next legislative session, and greater goals will be set and achieved.

I support Raghib for re-election in the 2nd District, and I invite others to do the same. He is dedicated, decent, and deserving of our continued support so that he may continue leading on the critical issues facing our state.

Dr. Diana Naddeo
Bethel