Kapoor responds to election letter criticisms at Town Council meeting

MONROE, CT — Jim Weinberg posted a letter on Facebook urging voters to support Republican Terry Rooney’s candidacy for first selectman one day before the Nov. 7 election. He wrote that his biggest concern was Democratic Party opponent Jerry Stevens’ close association with Nick Kapoor, who he called the “titular head of the Monroe Democrats.”

Weinberg wrote that Kapoor “tried to interject into our school system, the far lefts version of history (so called “Critical Race Theory”),” and accused him of the “overt politicization of the LBGTQ community” with policies that “would have removed” parents’ rights over their own minor children.

Weinberg mentioned the “Kapoor agenda” and the “Kapoor wing of the local Dem party”, and accused Kapoor of having “fought for huge increases” in the Board of Education budget.

Kapoor responded during the public comment portion of the Town Council meeting Monday night.

“I’d like to address this evening an abhorrent, disgusting letter that was written by a Monroe resident the night before the election that was reposted and endorsed by First Selectman-elect Rooney and the Republican Town Committee,” he said.

“The letter was filled with outright lies,” he said. “I never — publicly or privately — made mention of Critical Race Theory being ‘interjected into our schools.’ I never advocated for taking away parents’ rights. What I did say was that if a student came out to a teacher or a member of the school staff and did not want their parents to know that information, that particular teacher or school staff member did not have an obligation to report it. I still stand by this vigorously to protect children who may not feel safe at home if they come out.”

He said the “Kapoor agenda” is about “protecting LGBTQ+ kids, protecting the taxpayers’ dollars, and doing what’s best for the town.”

Weinberg did not respond to an email asking if he wanted to respond to Kapoor.

‘Every kid’s life matters’

Kapoor also criticized Rooney for not committing to raise the Pride flag during the Monroe Chamber of Commerce sponsored debate.

“Mr. Rooney, I hope you’re able to put aside whatever you may personally feel and commit to raising the Pride flag in June and the Trans flag in November,” Kapoor said, “2024 would be the fifth year that we raise the Pride flag in Monroe.”

After the meeting, Rooney said he did not answer the question about raising the Pride flag during the debate, because he had already answered it in the podcast sponsored by the Monroe CT Residents Facebook page.

“I said if the kids wanted me to be there, I would,” Rooney said. “I never said I wouldn’t do it. Every kid’s life matters in this school system. I care about every child. Everyone has a right to live in this country however they like. That’s what I stand for. The rights and freedoms of everyone in Monroe should be protected.”

Weinberg’s full letter, Kapoor’s full response

The following is Jim Weinberg’s letter without edits:

Fellow Monroe voters, please vote tomorrow, for the future of Monroe is in your hands. I would like to share with you my thoughts.

Monroe has made significant strides over the last few years.

1.  We now have a land use department who work with the land use boards instead of arrogantly pursuing their own vision/agenda.

2. We have an on-going and long-term plan for town road maintenance in the budget.

3. After decades of huge tax increases we have six years of less than 1 pcent/year increases.

4. Utilizing the 25 and 111 corridors as well as upper pepper street, for business development is well under way, leaving the remainder of the town as residential/farming zones.

All of this is due to the leadership by the present administration and the boards and commissions, of which Terry Rooney has been very instrumental.

Much has been made about the two candidates  for First Selectman and how they are so well respected in their circles. I met Jerry Steven’s and found him to be a very pleasant fellow. Terry Rooney’s friends describe him the same way. However this is not a popularity contest . It is a choice for what direction do we wish our town to go and who is best for leading us in that direction.

Much has been said about Terry Rooney and what he brings to our town, proven leadership, demonstrated by his dedication and hands on role in much of the positive progress the town has made.

What Stevens brings to the table is far less clear, but I want to discuss what we do know.

In the debate, (and elsewhere),  Stevens very clearly outlined some of his positions:

1.  He emphasized that difficult or controversial decisions would be opened up the town for debate before he, as first selectman would proceed. Rule by committee does not work in a representative democracy. Our system has us electing officials who create plans, and once formulated, then they bring them to the towns citizens in the form of town meetings for a decision to proceed or not.

2. Stephens also clearly endorsed the position that so called “remote learning” during Covid was the proper and safe thing to do, (even stating that if it cost him the election to say so, then so be it). Many of us feel less certain that this was a proper way to deal with the issue, and perhaps we don’t know yet the long term effects on the youngest generation.

3. Stephens local government experience is on the Board of Education where he joined other Democrats in proposing and supporting huge increases in the education budget, over and above that proposed by the Superintendent and far in excess of that approved by the Republican majority on the board.  Terry Rooney on the other hand assisted in crafting and supporting the near zero tax increases mentioned.

However, my biggest concern with Stevens is his close association with the titular head of the Monroe Democrats, Mr Kapoor.

1. Kapoor tried to interject into our school system, the far lefts version of history (so called “Critical Race Theory”), with the support of Stevens.  This theory essentially is based on the concept that all peoples who happen to be born white are endowed with something they call “White privilege” and are forever bound to pay for such “privilege”.  In their view,to deny the existence of such a concept makes you a prejudicial beget. 

2. Kapoor (again with the support of Stevens), also tried to establish policies based on the overt politicization of the LBGTQ community. These policies would have removed parent’s rights over their own minor children.  I would suggest to you that the LBG community is as diverse as any other group and for one far left fringe to claim representation for the community as a group is nothing more than prejudice in another form. 

3. Kapoor also fought for huge increases in the BOE budget, in support of his agenda, again supported by Stevens, and rejected by the Republican majority board.

Remember this is not just hyperbole; it is the “Kapoor agenda” which the Monroe School board rejected but school board member, and now FS candidate Stevens, signed on lock stock and barrel. If the Town elects Stevens, the Kapoor agenda comes with it.  If Kapoor is elected as Town Treasurer, you must assume his total lack of acceptance that tax dollars are your dollars, which he demonstrated on the BOE, comes with him.

 Let’s try to keep our community safe and healthy for all our citizens, respect people of all races religion or any other sector of society, without assigning special extraordinary rights to certain groups while castigating other groups for whom the Kapoor wing of the local Dem party hold nothing but despise.

We are a small town and, in my opinion, we should stay focused on what is good for our town and remember why it is we want to live here. Let’s reject out of hand those who would try to make Monroe CT a microcosm of the direction they want to take this country as a whole. Let’s stay the course this Tuesday and elect the Republican team led by FS candidate Terry Rooney.

Jim Weinberg

The following it Nick Kapoor’s response:

I’d like to address this evening an abhorrent, disgusting letter that was written by a Monroe resident the night before the election that was reposted and endorsed by First Selectman-elect Rooney and the Republican Town Committee.

The letter was filled with outright lies. I never – publicly or privately – made mention of Critical Race Theory being “interjected into our schools.” I never advocated for taking away parents’ rights. What I did say was that if a student came out to a teacher or a member of the school staff and did not want their parents to know that information, that particular teacher or school staff member did not have an obligation to report it. I still stand by this vigorously to protect children who may not feel safe at home if they come out.

If you want to know what the “Kapoor agenda” is, let me tell you. It’s about protecting LGBTQ+ kids, protecting the taxpayers’ dollars, and doing what’s best for the town. If Mr. Rooney and the RTC want to say that’s wrong, then go ahead. As the leader of the “Kapoor wing” of the Democratic Party, as the letter states, we believe in equality and equity for all, respecting your neighbor, and helping your fellow person when you can.

The author of the letter is right in one instance, the School Board did reject the trans and non-binary student policy. And then, said nothing. They continue to stay silent, 18 months after the fact while people who may think about moving into Monroe who have LGBTQ+ children google the news stories and see no response from the Board of Education majority.

If I need to be the boogeyman for the RTC that if Nick Kapoor is elected to any office in this town, then the moral and social fabric of Monroe would come apart at the seams, I’m happy to play that role. But remember, what you post and repost is on the internet forever and people read it. Not just the “insiders,” but also the trans kid who goes to Masuk and already felt one vote against who they are by the Board of Ed. And perhaps the closed person who is afraid to come out because of what their community would think of them. Your words matter. Mr. Rooney, your non-commitment to raise the Pride flag was felt by many members of the LGBTQ+ community in Monroe.

Mr. Rooney, I hope you’re able to put aside whatever you may personally feel and commit to raising the Pride flag in June and the Trans flag in November. 2024 would be the fifth year that we raise the Pride flag in Monroe.

Nick

All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.