Republican-American - Economy Top Issue in 5th

News Article

By Michael Puffer

With the election a little more than a week away, there's no shortage of emerging international concerns. But political experts agree the U.S. economy continues to remain the overriding concern of voters who will decide between Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Elizabeth H. Esty, D-5th District, and her Republican challenger, developer and businessman Mark Greenberg.

Esty and Greenberg agree broadly on some low-visibility issues. Both say they support science, math and technology education, along with manufacturing training in a district that was built on a manufacturing economy. Both also agree on the need to upgrade transportation infrastructure nationally, and both have recently cited oftenclogged Interstate 84 as a prime example.

Ideologically, the Esty-Greenberg matchup amounts to a pretty standard clash of ideas between Democrats and Republicans. Esty talks about government investment in education, transportation and research as a vehicle to drive the economy. Greenberg talks of cutting government spending and taxes.

Esty has a liberal-leaning voting record on economic issues, said Arthur Paulson, a political scientist from Southern Connecticut State University.

"I would say she has a very standard position for a moderate to liberal Democrat," Paulson said.

Esty claims partial credit for some large grants that have come to the district during her two years in office. The biggest is a $14.7 million federal grant for Waterbury.

The TIGER grant will help redevelop a decaying industrial section near the city center.

There's also a $2.5 million grant to fix flood control in downtown Meriden, a $1.7 million grant for manufacturing training programs at Naugatuck Valley Community College and a $1.1 million job training grant for a program in New Britain.

Esty, who lives in Cheshire, has toured many 5th District factories and job training centers during her years as a congresswoman and state legislator.

Esty often claims a heritage of manufacturing know-how stemming from her grandfather, who helped start zinc diecasting manufacturer Deco Products Co. in Iowa 64 years ago.

Esty's campaign spokeswoman, Laura Maloney, says Esty has no management role with the company.

Greenberg, of Litchfield, notes his 39 years of business experience as a developer and property manager in New York and Connecticut. He spoke of his current efforts to build 180 townhouses in Simsbury and 130 houses in Killingly, and an expansion of a Litchfield shopping plaza for an expanded Stop & Shop supermarket.

Each of those projects either has, or promises to, create jobs, Greenberg said. And he believes his business skills will translate into politics.

"When you go for subdivision approvals, you have to negotiate with inland wetlands, zoning or planning boards," Greenberg said. "I don't get everything I want. They don't get everything they want. These are negotiating skills that will come available to me down in Washington."

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