MONROE, CT — The Monroe Sun interviewed both candidates running for the open 21st Senatorial District seat in a special election to be held on Feb. 25. Each question and their answers will be posted in a series of stories leading up to Election Day.
State Rep. Jason Perillo, R-Shelton, is running against Stratford Town Councilman Tony Afriyie, a Democrat. The district includes Shelton and parts of Seymour, Monroe and Stratford.
Registered voters in districts 1 (Fawn Hollow) and 4 (Masuk) will vote in the gym of the former St. Jude School, 707 Monroe Turnpike, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Early voting is still being offered at Monroe Town Hall, 7 Fan Hill Road, on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The area was hit hard with flash floods last summer. How should the state prepare for extreme weather events?
Afriyie: I believe in climate change. When it comes to extreme weather events like we had in Connecticut the last few years, we should make sure our state has emergency funds designated to be dispersed in a timely manner, especially if they get rid of FEMA.
Perillo: I’ve already talked to [Monroe First Selectman] Terry Rooney and other public officials on this topic. There is talk about using grant money to fix culverts. There is a role for our state in helping our towns prepare.
When it comes to preparedness, I’d rather spend the money now than after the event. Monroe is already working on that. I’ve been in many conversations with Terry. I’ll continue to work with him to ensure that happens.
In instances where insurance companies won’t pay out, that’s where I as a senator would get involved and I’ve been doing that for years now with a lot of success.
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