The recent article, “Rep. Urban: Get off your Amistad hobby horse,” (Jan. 4), illustrated one of many examples of why we need a change in the 43rd District. After being elected and serving several terms as a Republican, providing mediocre service at best, Rep. Diana Urban became a Democrat and championed herself as the protector of children, animals and the environment. I would point out that it is the responsibility of all elected officials to protect the most vulnerable in our society, part of the job description and duties a state representative holds. It should not be a platform to claim success, and is simply a standard fallback to shroud a lack of achievement.

Columnist David Collins rightly calls her out on the issue of the Amistad. Urban has held the office with many others during the entire Amistad debacle, yet did nothing to monitor the investment in a vessel built in, and subsidized by the taxpayers of the 43rd District. Only after it was discovered that upwards of 8 million of our hard-earned dollars had been squandered, the ship mismanaged and in severe disrepair, did she jump on to the bandwagon of justice.

Hobby Horse sure, Political Chameleon definitely.

Raymond Dussault

Mystic