Voters in East Lyme and Salem are being told that change is needed and that their voices “will be heard.” If Cate Steel, the Democratic candidate for the 37th district, had a 25-year track record of community service like Rep. Holly Cheeseman, I might believe her.

However, Steel’s total community service appears to consist of seven months serving on the East Lyme Board of Education and a membership in the Niantic branch of Toastmasters International. If knowing your community and its members by serving and working among them every day is a prerequisite for listening, Ms. Steel certainly falls short.

Contrast this with Rep. Cheeseman’s record of dedicated service in both elected and volunteer positions.

A recent comment on Facebook sums it up: “I’ve always seen Holly Cheeseman at town events or functions big or small, actively participating and engaging with people, not for photo ops around election season, but because she is genuinely part of the community…” The same can certainly not be said of her opponent.

Actions speak far louder than words. I will be voting for Holly on Nov. 3. I urge you to join with me to send her back to Hartford.

Barbara Birmingham

East Lyme