Letter: D’Agostino Endorses Pascarella for State Representative

Written by Michael D’Agostino

State Representative, D-91

It may come as a surprise to some to learn that there is a Democratic Party primary on Tuesday, August 9th. The winner will run in November to replace Brendan Sharkey as Hamden’s state representative for the 88th General Assembly district. This is actually one of the more important elections in recent town history.

Let me explain. For the last four years, Brendan not only represented Hamden, but also served as the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives. In that role, Brendan helped obtain millions in state aid for the town. Working with him, he and I also secured millions more in bonding for specific town projects, like improvements to our schools.

The person who replaces Brendan - at a time when the State is facing a budget crisis that will make dollars for Hamden harder to obtain - will need to know every issue facing the town, from how every dollar of state aid impacts local taxes, to every brick that needs to be replaced. That person must be singularly dedicated to working for Hamden’s residents at the Capitol, and not be beholden to outside groups that have no knowledge of, or care for, what Hamden needs.

That person is Jim Pascarella.

Jim’s service to the town speaks for itself: coach, small business owner, Board of Education member, Town Council President and acting Mayor for several months last year. Equally important, Jim is a known quantity at the State Capitol.

As acting Mayor, he single-handedly lobbied to change state law so that Hamden could recover property taxes from Quinnipiac University for the more than 50 private homes that it owns and rents to students in town. It is therefore no surprise that he is the endorsed Democratic Party candidate to replace Brendan.

That brings me to Jim’s opponent -- Josh Elliot, a 31-year-old newcomer to Hamden who has lived here for six years and never served on any town volunteer commission or civic organization. Inexperience, of course, should not be a sole disqualifying factor; Josh’s performance at the Democratic debate last week, however, is another. Over the course of two hours, Josh failed to demonstrate an understanding of any specific issue impacting the town. He could not identify a single bonding priority he would pursue (Jim, by contrast, would pursue funds to expand the special education program at Alice Peck school and would seek funds to develop economically the huge parcel popularly known as the Tire Pond near I-91). Josh did not know about regional efforts and institutions designed to save the town money. He repeatedly argued that legalizing marijuana was the cure for everything, from the state budget crisis to its talent and youth exodus.

I am sure the state will eventually decriminalize recreational marijuana. I have to say, however, that, as a Hamden state representative, no resident has ever singled that out to me as an issue of concern. Instead, I hear how the lack of state funding for education has caused tax increases, I hear about preserving special education services, I hear about how important it is to protect and preserve our unique tree canopy in Hamden from destruction by utility companies, and I hear about what needs to be fixed, from school buildings to potholes. Jim, as Council President, hears all of these things too, and more.

Josh says he is now on a “listening tour” of Hamden. Respectfully, now is not the time to elect someone who needs on-the-job training about what is important to Hamden’s residents. Jim already knows these things and will hit the ground running in Hartford. That is why I am supporting him and why I am asking Hamden’s Democrats to do the same on August 9th.

Michael D’Agostino

State Representative

Serving Hamden’s 91st District

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