Trumbull GOP: Candidate Martha Mark 'Misses the Mark'

According to the Trumbull GOP,  the following is the "first of a five-week series by the Trumbull Republican Town Committee, articulating many reasons why Martha Mark is the wrong choice for Trumbull."

It is the opinion of the Trumbull GOP.

To the Editor:

Trumbull Republican Town Committee Chairman Jack Testani criticized Democratic First Selectman candidate Martha Mark for voting against a Town budget in 2012 that implemented full day kindergarten.  

Testani emphasized that Mark’s vote against this important early childhood initiative was in contravention to strong bipartisan support from Democrats on the Board of Education, Board of Finance and Town Council. 

“In 2012, Republicans reached across the aisle and worked with Democrats to adopt a town budget that implemented full day kindergarten, doubled senior citizen tax relief and on average, reduced residential property taxes 3.5%,” stated Testani.  “The 2012-2013 Town budget passed the Board of Finance by a vote of 6-0 and the Town Council by a vote of 17- 3.  Mrs. Mark was one of only three people on a 21 member council to vote against a budget that addressed all of these critical priorities.”

Testani emphasized that Democrats on the Board of Education and Board of Finance reached across the aisle and worked with Republicans to get the budget passed and get this important early childhood initiative passed.  “This is why Martha “Misses the Mark,” stated Testani.  “Even Democrats Vicki Tesoro, Fred Palmieri, Gregg Basbagill and Jim Meisner recognized that this was a budget that addressed everyone’s priorities.”  Testani noted that over the next five weeks the Republican Town Committee would be highlighting Mrs. Mark’s record regarding other important issues to underscore the clear differences between her and First Selectman Herbst.

“Our School Superintendent, building principals and teachers are telling us that this investment last year has already yielded incredible results.  Our kids are performing better as they enter first grade.  This was an initiative that was long overdue.  Tim Herbst told Trumbullites four years ago that he would make full day kindergarten a reality and he kept his word.  Had Martha Mark had her way in 2012 full day kindergarten would not have happened.” 

Testani went on to note that Mark’s negative vote underscores the tenor by which she has begun her campaign for First Selectman.  He also noted that in her role as Minority Leader, while she voted against a budget that had strong bipartisan support, at no time as leader did she propose an alternate budget. “What every Trumbullite, Republican and Democrat alike should consider is that Mrs. Mark is in fact so partisan and immoderate, she cannot effectively bring people together to govern.  She couldn’t get along with Republicans in her party so she left to become a Democrat two years ago.  In that short time, she has voted against her Democratic caucus on critical issues of importance to Trumbull.  If she can’t agree with anyone, how can she effectively govern?” 

“What every Trumbullite, Republican and Democrat alike should consider is that Mrs. Mark is in fact so partisan and immoderate, she cannot effectively bring people together to govern,” Testani said.