Norwich Bulletin
NORWICH — Republican City Alderman
Christopher Coutu said Saturday he
will challenge State Rep. Jack
Malone, D-Norwich, in the state’s
47th House District.
“I’m not a career politician,” said Coutu, 31, announcing his candidacy at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 594. “And I didn’t begin thinking about public service only when I decided to run for office.”
Coutu is a financial planner and an adjunct professor of finance at Three Rivers Community College. He is a member of the Connecticut Air National Guard, a volunteer firefighter and is a former civilian employee of the Defense Department.
The freshman alderman gained notoriety last year founding the AmericanWarrior organization, which has the goal of bringing 1,000 World War II veterans to visit their memorial in Washington, D.C.
Coutu said his major strength as a state representative will be his financial knowledge, calling the climate in Hartford “a tax and spend ideology.” He told the story of a senior citizen who has lived in Norwich for 30 years.
“He said we started a lottery, passed an income tax and got two of the largest casinos in the world and it hasn’t resulted in a tax break,” Coutu said. “Our first option can’t be to raise taxes. We have to manage spending.”
Toward that end, he favors Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s proposal to cap municipal taxes at 3 percent per year. He also said he will vote for a “three strikes and you’re out” crime bill.
One of his supporters Saturday was Sean Sullivan, the GOP’s candidate for the 2nd Congressional District seat, now held by Democrat Joe Courtney.
“I’ll go to Washington and Chris will go to Hartford,” Sullivan said. “And we’ll restore common sense to government.”
Coutu, who had lived in the 47th District most of his life, said he and his wife are moving back there. Rules require that a candidate live in the district by the time they take office.
William Nash, the other Republican alderman in Norwich, acknowledged that a freshman alderman might be running uphill against Malone, a seven-term incumbent.
“But Chris is a great guy,” Nash said. “He works very hard. And if the people of the district choose to elect him, they won’t be disappointed.”
PUBLIC COMMENTS
“I’m not a career politician,” said Coutu, 31, announcing his candidacy at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 594. “And I didn’t begin thinking about public service only when I decided to run for office.”
Coutu is a financial planner and an adjunct professor of finance at Three Rivers Community College. He is a member of the Connecticut Air National Guard, a volunteer firefighter and is a former civilian employee of the Defense Department.
The freshman alderman gained notoriety last year founding the AmericanWarrior organization, which has the goal of bringing 1,000 World War II veterans to visit their memorial in Washington, D.C.
Coutu said his major strength as a state representative will be his financial knowledge, calling the climate in Hartford “a tax and spend ideology.” He told the story of a senior citizen who has lived in Norwich for 30 years.
“He said we started a lottery, passed an income tax and got two of the largest casinos in the world and it hasn’t resulted in a tax break,” Coutu said. “Our first option can’t be to raise taxes. We have to manage spending.”
Toward that end, he favors Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s proposal to cap municipal taxes at 3 percent per year. He also said he will vote for a “three strikes and you’re out” crime bill.
One of his supporters Saturday was Sean Sullivan, the GOP’s candidate for the 2nd Congressional District seat, now held by Democrat Joe Courtney.
“I’ll go to Washington and Chris will go to Hartford,” Sullivan said. “And we’ll restore common sense to government.”
Coutu, who had lived in the 47th District most of his life, said he and his wife are moving back there. Rules require that a candidate live in the district by the time they take office.
William Nash, the other Republican alderman in Norwich, acknowledged that a freshman alderman might be running uphill against Malone, a seven-term incumbent.
“But Chris is a great guy,” Nash said. “He works very hard. And if the people of the district choose to elect him, they won’t be disappointed.”
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chris
Just Jerry
Zinai ko sieki. Taip ir toliau. Pirmyn. Sekmes tau Chris.
Mr. Coutu works hard and knows how to bring people together. He also asks tough questions and says what needs to be said. Some people have vision and others think about today. Mr. Coutu is a down to earth leader and will do a great job for the 47th and our region. Mr. Coutu you have my vote!
Before he runs for State office, how about finishing what you started in Norwich. This current City Council, which Mr. Coutu is part of, has made a mockery of City Government. First they have offended and set off a turf war among the City's Volunteer and Career Fire Departments. Second, they plan to raise property taxes at a time when business and people are moving into Norwich, Third, they plan to throw away tax dollars on increased funding for Welfare and Social Programs that do not work (evidence based government and funding....read the New London Day) and set into motion a process that will give Block Grant money to Non Profits agencies that could not exist if they did not get a block grant every year. The purpose of block grants is improve a neighborhood with seed money for a program or improvement project. It was never supposed to be year to year operating funds. Sounds like there is a lot of things a one can do right here in Norwich.....
Chris, you have my vote!
Norwich Republican, I can only hope that you are not all talk...and put you words and actions to good use for Norwich.