Gerry Slagle

To the editor:

On Tuesday August 29, I attended the community forum for senatorial candidates in Laconia. The forum was a chance for candidates of districts 2 and 4 to speak to people about social issues of concern to the Lakes Region.

For the past couple of weeks, regarding District 4, there has been a lot of discussion about Robert Boyce and James Fitzgerald, but at the forum Tuesday the correct choice for District 4 was clearly established and that is Kathleen Sgambati.

Sgambati answered all the questions easily with her breadth of knowledge and experience to guide her. She discussed and gave legitimate solutions to problems within healthcare, substance abuse, affordable housing, and education. Sgambati's knowledge and experience with the legislature and formulating policy makes her an obvious choice to represent District 4.

The most striking difference between Sgambati and her opponents is that Sgambati is not only articulate in her answers but is realistic in what the state and communities can accomplish. She stressed the importance of efficient government and working with public-private partnerships to fix the problems within government and to maintain the gains already accomplished by New Hampshire, most notably the Healthy Kids Initiative, which Sgambati had been one of the prime architects.

While Fitzgerald did attend the forum, it might have been better for him to stay at home because he failed to a draw clear picture on how state government can enhance and support local communities and further, he failed to effectively communicate what he would bring to local residents as a state senator. The right choice for Senate District 4 is Kathleen Sgambati because of her knowledge, experience, and her realistic solutions for New Hampshire.

It's time for a change. The right choice for me is Kathleen Sgambati.

Gerry Slagle

Alton