Needleman Promises Support For Measures To Protect Equal Internet Access

Norm Needleman, Essex First Selectman and candidate for the 33rd District State Senate Seat, today expressed his strong support for guaranteeing equal access to Internet websites, information, and entertainment.  He spoke just days after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) repealed Federal net neutrality protections.

“The FCC has given a handful of communications companies free reign to decide which Internet services individuals and business can easily access,” said Needleman. “That decision significantly affects how the Internet works for every individual and business in our country, our state, and our district. Giant Internet service providers can now decide which information services and entertainment outlets get preferential access to higher speed delivery. Consumers, small businesses, and educational institutions will pay the price here in Connecticut and across the country.”

ISP’s are now free to manipulate Internet access to suit their own competitive and revenue objectives. They can charge more for access to the “fast lane”, and can limit access to services and outlets that compete with them.

There have been numerous examples of what could become standard practice on the part of the big ISP’s: Verizon Wireless was caught limiting access to Netflix and YouTube; AT&T was caught limiting access to Face Time; and Comcast was caught curtailing access to peer-to-peer file applications.

“A few giant companies should not dictate the content and information we see and how we access the Internet every day,” Needleman continued. “That’s why I will join the non-partisan fight to keep Internet access from being manipulated by a handful of communications companies. The FCC decision will directly impact the residents and businesses in the twelve towns comprising the 33rd district, which don’t have a choice when it comes to modern broadband Internet. A top priority in Connecticut should be legislation that guarantees equal access to the Internet for all individuals and businesses. 29 states have already introduced net neutrality legislation, in direct response to the FCC ruling.

“Net Neutrality is the term that politicians use to characterize this issue. That term disguises the real impact the FCC decision will have on our economy and our daily lives. Internet access costs will rise for both consumers and business, and ISP competitive considerations will play a major role in determining what we see and how we access the Internet.  None of this makes sense, and none of it is in the best interest of consumers or businesses. I will be at the leading edge of the fight to make certain that Internet access for individuals and business is delivered on a fair and equitable basis. Common sense needs to prevail over the business interests of a handful of giant communications companies seeking to control access to information and entertainment.”

Norm Needleman has twenty years of public service experience in Essex, including four terms as First Selectman. During his tenure as First Selectman, he led economic development initiatives that made Essex home to over 700 businesses. He balanced budgets and made infrastructure improvements while maintaining one of the lowest property tax rates in the state.

The 33rd State Senate District consists of the towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Portland, Westbrook, and a portion of Old Saybrook.

For questions, please contact Ed Tedeschi at et@edted.com or (917) 734-9460.

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Norm Needleman Wins Democratic Nomination For 33rd District Sate Senate Seat

Essex First Selectman Norm Needleman has been nominated as the Democratic Party State Senate candidate for the 33rd District.  

Delegates from Democratic Town Committees in the 12 towns comprising the 33rd District met on Monday, May 21 at the Gelston House in East Haddam to select a candidate. Needleman was nominated by acclimation on the first ballot.  

Needleman accepted the nomination, and defined his approach to addressing issues facing towns in the district: “We need a state senator who has the temperament, the credibility, and the experience to rise above partisan bickering and generate the ideas that solve problems. Over the years, I have fostered consensus building that gets things get done in the real world. Job creation, balanced budgets, low taxes, treating people fairly and infrastructure improvements define my accomplishments as an elected official.”

He continued: “I’m not here to advance my political career, or to lay the groundwork for higher office. I can’t be bought by any organization or special interest. I will be a state senator driven by the desire to do the right thing for the people and towns in our district, and I will do the hard work necessary to address the deep and abiding problems in our state.”

In placing Needleman’s name in nomination, Michelle Gilman, resident of Colchester said: “I have learned a lot about Norm in the years we have collaborated on the issues facing our towns’ families. I know that he will be the advocate and partner we so badly need in the state senate. I know that he will fight for investments in education and investments in our communities. I know that he will make certain that the towns in our district get their fair share from Hartford. And just as important, I know he will lead across party lines to address the challenges facing our state.”

Needleman’s nomination was seconded by two prominent Democrats from the district: Emily Bjornberg, 2014 nominee for the 33rd State Senate Seat, and Stacia Libby, four-term Selectman in Essex.

Bjornberg said: “When no one is watching, Norm is a quiet friend to myriad marginalized folks within his community. He quietly provides meals and housing. He quietly provides jobs and friendship. He quietly, yet unapologetically fights for the humanity of his fellow man. He is a pillar of his community without being a boast and he is a successful driver of the local economy without being a brag.”

Libby, who has worked as an elected official alongside Needleman for eight years said: “What I have learned about Norm pales when compared to what I’ve learned from Norm. He taught me through his actions what it means to be a true leader. Norm is compassionate, intelligent and diplomatic. He listens. He considers all sides and viewpoints. Then he seeks solutions that are fair, balanced and in the best interest of our community.”

Norm Needleman has twenty years of public service experience in Essex, including four terms as First Selectman. During his tenure as First Selectman, he led economic development initiatives that made Essex home to over 700 businesses. He balanced budgets and made infrastructure improvements while maintaining one of the lowest property tax rates in the state.

Needleman is the founder and CEO of Tower Laboratories, a manufacturing company employing 150 people, located in Essex. His two sons co-manage the company with him.  He lives in Essex with his partner, Jacqueline Hubbard, Executive Director of the Ivoryton Playhouse.

The 33rd State Senate District consists of the towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Portland, Westbrook, and a portion of Old Saybrook.

Needleman Announces Support For Initiatives To Promote Tourism

Norm Needleman, Essex First Selectman and candidate for the State Senate for the 33rd District, today announced his support for new initiatives to promote tourism in Connecticut.

Needleman said: “The most recent data shows that tourism delivers $14.7 billion in annual revenue to the state, and supports 120,000 sector jobs. Every dollar invested in promoting tourism returns three dollars in revenue.  

“That’s why I support the initiatives developed by The Connecticut Tourism Coalition. The proposed initiatives are common sense ideas that will enhance our tourism presence, which is key to building revenue:

1. Create of a 15 member volunteer Tourism Advisory Committee, whose role will be to recommend strategies to the Office of Tourism for maximizing use of tourism funds.
2. Appoint a Director of Tourism, a new position reporting directly to the governor
3. Commit 3% of all taxable lodging revenue as a sustainable source of tourism funding
4. Reopen visitor centers, using public or private funds

Needleman continued: “Connecticut is blessed with a wealth of historical, entertainment, lodging and recreation options. It makes sense for us to revitalize and sustain support for tourism. That investment will yield significant financial returns, and make our state more competitive with states that border us.”

The 33rd State Senate District consists of the towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Portland, Westbrook, and a portion of Old Saybrook.

Needleman Supports Legislation To End False Advertising By Limited Service Pregnancy Centers

ESSEX, CT, March 26, 2018 - Essex First Selectman and businessman Norm Needleman today submitted testimony to the Public Health Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly in support of a bill to require limited service pregnancy centers to end deceptive advertising practices.

Needleman testified in support of Senate Bill 5416, An Act Concerning Deceptive Advertising Practices Of Limited Services Pregnancy Centers. In his testimony, Needleman stated his reason for supporting the bill: ”Every other business in our state and in our nation is held accountable for false advertising practices. Limited service pregnancy centers should not be exempt from the rule of law that requires all businesses to be truthful in advertising and promotion.”

His testimony identified the advertising practices the legislation seeks to end: “By law, women can seek and obtain the medical services they desire relative to their pregnancies. It is patently deceptive to use advertising to lure these women into centers that do not provide the services they are seeking. Limited service pregnancy centers should not be permitted to engage in these false and deceptive advertising practices.”

Needleman went on to point out that the legislation does not impact the operation of limited service pregnancy centers: “It is important to note that the legislation does not in any way impact the services these centers actually provide, nor does it in any way impede their operation. They are free to continue delivering services they believe are appropriate.”

Needleman to Hartford: Cut the Red Tape and Help Towns Work Together

ESSEX, CT - Essex First Selectman and businessman Norm Needleman submitted testimony to the Education Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly calling for changes in state law to allow local school districts to better work together.

Needleman testified in support of Senate Bill 361, An Act Concerning Interdistrict Cooperation and the Reporting Requirement of Cooperative Arrangements. Calling it “a good step in the right direction,” Needleman specified his support of portions of the bill that seek to allow cooperative agreements between school districts so they can consolidate their reporting for the purposes of the reporting requirements.

“Chester, Deep River, and Essex have been working closely together for decades and currently share both education and municipal costs. We have found that state law often makes it difficult to do things cooperatively. Many times expenditures and programs that are run as a single unit have to be broken out into their component parts in order to comply with state mandates. No place is this more problematic than in education.”

“While our three towns are doing everything right when it comes to regional cooperation, cost sharing has created additional layers of bureaucracy that are necessary in order to comply with state mandates.”

“While the aggregation of reporting is important and helpful, we’d like to see a bolder approach, namely looking at what defines a Local Education Agency (LEA) in Connecticut law for the purposes of federal programs like Special Education and allowing these cooperative agreements to be recognized as single LEA.”

“I urge members of the committee to take a close look at what we are doing here in Chester, Deep River, and Essex and see how some additional changes will allow for a more innovative approach to cost sharing statewide.”

The 33rd State Senate District consists of the towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Portland, Westbrook, and a portion of Old Saybrook.

Needleman Calls for Increased Staffing and Better Response Time from Utilities

ESSEX, CT - Today, in response to unacceptable and inadequate utility response time during power outages, Essex First Selectman and businessman Norm Needleman submitted public testimony in support of new proposed legislation to have utility companies increase staffing and equipment levels.

Senate Bill 329, An Act Concerning Minimum Utility Staffing and Equipment Levels, would require the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to initiate a docket and issue a final order regarding minimum utility staffing and equipment levels. PURA was originally meant to create these minimum levels following Tropical Storm Irene but has yet to finish its work.

Needleman, who is in his fourth term as Essex First Selectman, has seen the responses by our utility company gets slower and less efficient with every storm. His testimony, which was submitted to the Energy and Technology Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly, explained further.

“In recent years, I have witnessed an alarming deterioration in response to power outages by Eversource, causing inordinate delays in power restoration to homes and businesses in Essex. It is my strong belief that this inadequate response to power outages is the result of two factors. First, Eversource has drastically reduced repair personnel and equipment, instead relying on resources from private contractors and service units from outside of their system. Second, and equally alarming, is the lack of operating management oversight in directing and coordinating whatever resources are available.  Said another way, Eversource does not maintain staffing levels sufficient to provide adequate response to power outages, and they have failed to develop a communications and management system to direct the outside resources that eventually arrive.”

“This service problem is not confined to Essex. In consulting with officials in surrounding  towns, they have detailed their frustrations with prolonged power outages, inadequate staffing, and incorrect information from Eversource.”

“Not only have I experienced these problems as a First Selectman trying to provide basic services to residents but also as a business owner and a household customer myself. My manufacturing plant in Michigan has lost power one time in 14 years and they have pretty drastic weather conditions, especially during the winter. Meanwhile, my manufacturing plant in Centerbrook loses power regularly and sometimes for no reason at all. Considering we are paying one of the highest prices in the country for electricity we should have a world class system, not a third world system, which is what it feels like we have. The lack of reliable electricity is a serious deterrent for new businesses considering locating in Connecticut.”

“Repeatedly, Eversource has ignored their responsibilities by failing to implement effective weather related response and repair. Instead, they have chosen to implement staff and equipment reductions to effect cost economies. As a matter of public safety, Eversource should be required to maintain adequate staffing and equipment levels. S.B. 329 will help remedy this crippling public utility problem.”

The 33rd State Senate District consists of the towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Portland, Westbrook, and a portion of Old Saybrook.

For questions, please contact Campaign Manager Ed Tedeschi at et@edted.com or (917) 734-9460.

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Norm Needleman Announces Campaign for State Senate

ESSEX, CT - Today, Essex First Selectman and successful businessman Norm Needleman announced his campaign as a Democratic candidate for the 33rd State Senate District, promising to use his business and small town leadership experience to bring people together to get Connecticut back on track.

“Leading a small town and building a business taught me that the best way to get things done is to put people and their needs ahead of party politics,” said Needleman. “I respect taxpayers’ dollars because I know how hard you’ve worked to earn them. That’s why as First Selectman, I brought Democrats and Republicans together, found consensus, solved problems, and kept property taxes among the lowest in the state without cutting services. If elected State Senator for the 33rd District, I will make a clean break from the decades of bickering and harmful policies that have come from Hartford, and I will get Connecticut working for the towns in our district.”

“As an elected town official, I've seen the work Norm does as the First Selectman of Essex,” said Colchester Selectman Rosemary Coyle. “Norm governs in a fiscally responsible manner, making sound decisions. His hands-on, small town government experience in the legislature will benefit our communities and help us build a brighter future for our children and families.”

Needleman, who campaigned for the seat in 2016, is currently in his fourth term as Essex First Selectman. He has over 20 years of experience advocating for his small town, having previously served as an Essex Selectman, a member of the Essex Zoning Board of Appeals, and a member of the Essex Economic Development Commission. Needleman is a member of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments, helping the 17 member towns coordinate various government functions. He is also a board member of Valley Shore Emergency Communications, a center formed by local pubic safety professionals to handle emergency call processing and dispatching needs for communities throughout the region.

“Building a company from the ground up has given me invaluable experience on how to grow jobs and create a region where businesses want to start and thrive,” said Needleman. “I will be a State Senator who will create good-paying jobs in our towns and throughout Connecticut.”

Needleman founded Tower Laboratories, an Essex manufacturing company, 38 years ago. The company has grown to become a leader in its field, employing over 250 people. As a leading CEO in the region, he serves as a board member of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce.

“Norm asks the right questions, and is willing to listen to all options,” said Centerbrook businessman and Clinton resident Gary Stevens. “I believe that with Norm’s insight into the way that a successful business (his) is run and the wasteful spending and unnecessary

spending habits the State is in, he could go a long way to make the government a more responsible entity.” Stevens, an unaffiliated voter who has known Needleman since the 1980’s, owns Stevens Excavating, Inc. and has worked with Needleman on numerous projects.

The 33rd State Senate District consists of the towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Portland, Westbrook, and a portion of Old Saybrook.

Needleman lives in Essex with Jacqueline Hubbard, the Executive Director of the Ivoryton Playhouse. His two sons also live in Essex, allowing him ample time to spoil his grandchildren.