By Andrea Corcoran
[All Opinion pieces and Letters to the Editor reflect ONLY the thoughts of the writer, and not those of the Stratford Crier or its Editorial Board.]
Though the upcoming presidential race is getting a lot of attention, I’d argue that who we vote for in our local & state elections will impact our everyday lives in more measurable ways.
With that said, I will very enthusiastically be voting for Kaitlyn Shake to represent the 120th House District on Election Day.
As a parent, public education is a matter of great importance to me. Kaitlyn was recently recognized by the CEA (Connecticut Education Association) with a spot on their 2024 Honor Roll.
This designation tells me that ensuring a quality school experience for every single student is a matter of great importance to Kaitlyn as well. My personal experience working with Kaityln confirms what the CEA designation suggests. While I was serving as Chair of the Stratford Board of Education, Kaitlyn worked tirelessly – speaking at length with myself, with school administrators, and with fellow Council members – to secure an additional one million dollars of desperately needed funding. She was able to ensure that our schools had the resources needed to save programs and staff that benefit our Stratford Public Schools students. I know that Kaitlyn will continue to be a voice for our children and teachers and this makes my own vote for her a no-brainer.
It is important to note that Kaitlyn hasn’t only been a champion for education. She has fought for environmental issues that are important to her constituents, addressed safety concerns brought to her attention by residents of Stratford, and consistently worked to keep Stratford affordable for its taxpayers. She listens when people talk to her, she is eager to learn about the issues facing our community, and I’m certain that she will be a fierce advocate for Stratford when she is sent to Hartford.
On November 5th, I’ll be voting for the candidate with a proven track record of listening to the residents of this town and of working with them to make their community healthier, safer, happier, and more inclusive. I cannot wait to cast my vote for Kaitlyn Shake to be my new State Representative.
