The Ridgefield Open Space Association Elections Committee is pleased to announce our endorsements for State Representative (111th District) and State Senate (26th District).

We are gratified that both seats were contested this year - a healthy democracy demands that the voters have a choice, and that incumbents do not succumb to complacency.

Our endorsements are based solely on environmental issues; our candidates' questionnaire (viewable at www.rosaopenspace.org) addressed the topics of traffic, air quality, wetlands protection, open space preservation and urban sprawl.

Both candidates, incumbent Republican John Frey and his challenger, Democrat Randall Balmer, share our view that open space preservation is imperative in our increasingly congested state, and are committed to increased funding at the state level for these purchases.

Both believe that our wetlands need further protection, and efforts must be made to improve the quality of our air and water.

Yet, John Frey is the candidate with a track record. Bennett's Pond was arguably the biggest environmental issue the town has faced in a decade or more, and the use of eminent domain was controversial and opposed by many in his party.

Mr. Frey publicly supported us, from day one, in 1999 when the battle to save Bennett's Pond began. He provided moral support for our cause and was unwavering in his efforts to convince the State to participate through their 50% funding. He demonstrated leadership and political courage in taking on the Bennett's Pond cause. He didn't do it because it was expedient (it was not); he did it because he believed it was the right thing to do for the town.

Mr. Frey's environmental voting record, while not perfect, was an admirable 90% in 2004, according to the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters. He voted correctly on all of the major environmental measures that came before the legislature this session and co-sponsored several of them.

We believe that Dr. Balmer is an intelligent, educated and articulate candidate, but he did not rise to the level of earning our support over the incumbent. We wholeheartedly support Representative John Frey for another term.

This race is also contested for the first time in recent memory. We support the challenger Arlo Ellison for State Senate.

Mr. Ellison, a Democrat, shares our vision of stronger environmental protection, smart growth, and open space preservation.

The Republican incumbent, Mrs. Freedman, seems out of touch with her constituents and has shown little interest in Ridgefield's environmental concerns. We believe it's time for a change in the 26th District, and endorse Mr. Ellison for State Senate.