LTE: Let’s Call a Spade a Spade
Originally published in the Woodbridge Town News
By Prasanna Ananth, David Driscoll, Anoka Faruqee, Dan Franko, Larissa Hall, Shobha Jagadeesh, Tahera Parvez, Isabella Pfannenbecker, Loredana Pfannenbecker, Mohini Ranganathan, Patricia Smith, Bruce Webber, and Jean Webber
“If we cannot trust the messengers, can we trust the message?”
We have repeatedly heard that the Common Ground slate is neither beholden to nor aligned with any political party or entity at the local, state, or national levels. But is this the full story? The slate is endorsed by the Woodbridge Republican Town Committee (WRTC), and the campaign has non-Woodbridge individuals, including the Campaign Chair and Treasurer, with extensive experience running Republican campaigns across Connecticut.
If Common Ground’s priorities were not aligned with the WRTC, why would the WRTC endorse the slate? And why would a CT-wide Republican campaign team dedicate their time and resources to electing Common Ground? Endorsements typically reflect shared goals and values.
Further, Common Ground’s four selectmen candidates are either registered Republicans or have previously run as Republican candidates. Rob Rosasco is the immediate past chair of the WRTC (summer 2024 through summer 2025) and only recently stepped down. Amey Marella has served as a Republican First Selectman. Javier Aviles and Andrea Urbano both ran on the Republican slate in 2023.
Why the sudden distancing from the Republican label now? Perhaps they believe that a neutral narrative would resonate with the populace of Woodbridge? We believe this lack of transparency undermines the trust we, as voters, place in our candidates.
Next, we are told that the only reason the Common Ground slate is endorsed by the WRTC is because there is no other way to put forward a slate as per Connecticut rules. This statement is inaccurate, as other groups in Connecticut can and do form independent slates. Next door in Bethany, there is a third candidate for First Selectman, unaffiliated with either major party. Inconvenient? Sure. Impossible? Definitely not.
So why does Common Ground spend so much time promoting these misleading narratives? Perhaps to have it both ways - collect votes from folks who wish to vote for a Republican slate and also appeal to voters who find the national Republican Party agenda out of step with their values.
Once we dispense with the smoke and mirrors, we have a slate that is endorsed by and cross-endorses the WRTC. There is nothing wrong with running as Republicans, but we take issue with pretending otherwise. Woodbridge voters deserve honesty and transparency.
If we cannot trust the messengers, can we trust the message?
Prasanna Ananth, David Driscoll, Anoka Faruqee, Dan Franko, Larissa Hall, Shobha Jagadeesh, Tahera Parvez, Isabella Pfannenbecker, Loredana Pfannenbecker, Mohini Ranganathan, Patricia Smith, Bruce Webber, and Jean Webber
More here: https://www.woodbridgetownnews.com/news/letter-lets-call-a-spade-a-spade
