LETTER: City Clerk Joanne Rohrig Puts Milford Citizens First

To the editor:

My home received an oversized election flyer for Milford's mayor and the Democrat’s City Clerk candidate. I couldn’t help but be struck by this mailings’ unsubtle attempts to portray Karen Fortunati as the incumbent.

Guess what. She isn’t.

Happily, Joanne Rohrig is, and happily for Milford, she has done a spectacular job these past five years. Ms. Rohrig and her excellent team deserve our admiration for their efficient practices and friendly approach to all citizen-customers.

Hey, about that faux incumbent: I think it was in 2005 when a Republican candidate for Probate Judge inadvertently printed a sign that, like all of Ms. Fortunati’s literature, gave the impression of incumbency. Do you recall that the Democrat Party filed charges against the GOP campaign?

Yep, it happened. And the Democrat leader at that time was Mr. Richard Smith. The party leader now? It’s the same Richard Smith. Do as I say, not as I do, is the rule.

Anyway, God bless Ms. Fortunati for running. After all, this is America, where people are free to seek to represent their neighbors.

Mis-representing a candidate status? That’s something else.

Here’s another, worrisome something else: In a City Clerk, the people deserve a non-partisan official who will refuse to act as the lieutenant of a very political Mayor.

Which is what we have in Mayor Blake.

For example: Did you know Mr. Blake refuses to dispense money to charitable organizations as approved by the Board of Aldermen. Stay with me here: Did you know the City Clerk is the protector of Milford’s vital records and documents?

Now, imagine this: What if our very political Mayor didn’t want “his” City Clerk to make certain records available to . . . you. Or me? Or your neighbor?

I know one candidate who might salute and say “yes sir.”

It’s not Joanne Rohrig. Some live in Ben Blake’s world, and in his shadow, but Joanne lives in your world. Our bona fide City Clerk has proven she is here to serve you. She’ll refuse to take orders from this political boss or that party chairman.

Joanne Rohrig has run a model City Clerk’s office. You want to politicize it? Vote for her challenger. But I believe, as do most citizens, that Joanne Rohrig merits another term doing her usual terrific job that puts Milford citizens first.

Accept no imitations: Milford has a real City Clerk. A great one! On Election Day, I am going to vote to reelect Joanne Rohrig, and encourage my neighbors to do the same.

Sincerely,

Jack Fowler

Milford, CT 06461