Kevin Ryan, Democrat

Endorsed - View The Day Editorial Endorsement

Occupation

Legislator/College Teacher

Town

Oakdale

Incumbent

Yes

Contact

Phone: 860-848-0790

Email: ReelectRyan@aol.com

Age (as of Nov. 4, 2014)

62

Family

Education

B.A.:English; B.S. Biology -Villanova University B.S. Science; O.D.- Pennsylavania College of Optometry Master in Community Psychology- University of New Haven

Civic Involvement

New London Elks Montville Rotary Knights of Columbus Board of Alliance for Living Big Brother Big Sisters Board Spirit of Broadway Board Puynam Science Academy Advisory Board Peace Institute Advisory Board Bethsaida Community

Elected/appointed offices held

Montville Board of Education Justice of the Peace

Other government service

Member of Nuclear Energy Advisory Council

What makes you the best candidate for this office?

I believe that my backgrounds in education, healthcare as well as my business experience provide me with knowledge in areas of great concern for the people of the district. I have also worked with non-profits which offer another perspective to the needs of people in Southeastern Connecticut. Having served as a legislator for a number of years also provides me with the institutional knowledge on how to work effectively in state government and with local municipalities in a bipartisan manner which best serves the needs of the region.

Estimates of the state's unfunded pension and benefit liability for retired teachers and state employees are in the tens of billions of dollars. Should the state continue offering a defined benefit pension plan or switch to some type of 401(k) defined contribution plan, which has become standard in the private sector? Please explain why you do or do not support such a change.

The state has worked to fully fund the state pension system in recent years and I will work to help ensure that we continue to do so. There should be better oversight of both private and public pension plans to ensure they are properly managed to ensure that pensions are secure. I am not sure how a defined contribution plan serves our retirees in both the private and public sector as they get older especially in economic times such as we have recently experienced where their plan does might not provide them the income they need to survive. Will they be in a position to make necessary investment decisions later in life? I am concerned about how a defined contribution will provide security for retirees in their well-deserved retirement which they should be able to enjoy. It should also be noted that in a recent debate that both candidates for governor noted that moving state employees into a 401(k) type retirement plan would not save the state money.

If a bill came before the General Assembly to repeal or amend the gun control law passed last session after the school shootings in Newtown, would you vote to amend the law? If so, what would you want to change?

Considering that the bill passed by a large majority, I doubt that any attempt to repeal the bill would be successful or even attempted. I do believe that efforts to enhance the mental health aspects of the bill will emerge to provide better and more accessible mental health services to our youth as well as adults. These should be ongoing efforts which I would support. I would also allow for an amnesty period for gun owners who wanted to register their guns but missed the registration deadline to do so.

Jonathan C. Gilman, Republican

Occupation

Self Employed/Owner Gilman Financial Services

Town

Gilman

Incumbent

No

Contact

Phone: 860-222-3296

Email: jonathangilman01@gmail.com

Age (as of Nov. 4, 2014)

61

Family

Divorced 2 Sons Nathan 34, Nicholas 28

Education

B.A. Political Science Baldwin-Wallace University Working on MBA Jones International University (will finish in Dec)

Civic Involvement

Bozrah RTC Chairman Past Member 19th Senatorial State Central Committee Vice-Chairman Grassroots East Chairman GRE Training and Education Committee

Elected/appointed offices held

Bozrah Board of Education Justice of the Peace Past Member ZBA

Other government service

None

What makes you the best candidate for this office?

I would make a good candidate for State Representative because I want to make my state the best in New England. I know what it takes to be a leader that cares about his constituents. Using common sense and vision to anticipate problems and look for solutions to the core problems not just dealing with the symptoms. I would develop a list of top priorities that government should provide and budget for them. I will listen to all sides of an issue and vote not by party line but what is in the best interests of all the citizens of Connecticut. I will stand up for those who don't have a voice and be an advocate of the weak and disenfranchised. I will work across the aisle and find common ground so compromise is not a bad word, but a way to build trust and a spirit of cooperation with my colleges in the House. It is time to provide a fresh set of eyes and new ideas to a governing body that has had the same people elected over and over again and producing poor results.

Estimates of the state's unfunded pension and benefit liability for retired teachers and state employees are in the tens of billions of dollars. Should the state continue offering a defined benefit pension plan or switch to some type of 401(k) defined contribution plan, which has become standard in the private sector? Please explain why you do or do not support such a change.

I would provide a choice for all new employees. If they want to manage their own funds and have the state administer the 457 plan or be part of the current plan that is failing. I would make the option less favorable to take the DB option.

If a bill came before the General Assembly to repeal or amend the gun control law passed last session after the school shootings in Newtown, would you vote to amend the law? If so, what would you want to change?

I would change the provisions that would make honest hard working citizens felons and often without their knowledge. I would work hard to provide real solutions to the Newtown tragedy which relate more to mental health issues and not taking away 2nd amendment rights to give the impression that something was done to fix the problem.