Politics & Government

Sierra Club Endorses Leon Karvelis for 135th

The following is a press release sent by Douglas Hasson on behalf of Leon Karvelis' campaign.

 

The Sierra Club, America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, recently endorsed Leon Karvelis in his run for the Connecticut House of Representatives, HD-135. Karvelis, a Democrat and retired financial analyst, was lauded by the group for his stance on environmental issues.

“It is truly an honor to be endorsed by the Sierra Club,” Karvelis said. “I will work to make sure Connecticut is ready for a greener future. I’ll be our Energy and Environmental Policy Advocate by challenging the use of harmful chemicals in consumer products, athletic fields and plastics, promoting green energy alternatives and making sure government is a smart, responsible steward of our open space.”

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Karvelis’ opponent for the seat representing Easton, Redding and Weston received a failing grade earlier this year for his voting record on environmental issues from the League of Conservation Voters, which called State Rep. John Shaban (R-135th) “a problem.” Shaban, Karvelis pointed out, is a member of Assembly's Environment Committee and still received an “F.”

The League of Conservation Voters based their grading on several of Shaban’s votes against pro-environmental measures. Shaban voted against laws labeling genetically-modified food, protectingchildren from harmful chemicals, reducing phosphorous in drinking water and regulating the safe disposal of pharmaceutical drugs.

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“In his one term representing our region, my opponent never got to work,” Karvelis said. “The Leagueo f Conservation voters gave him a failing grade in protecting our environment. And, according to VoteSmart.org, he voted no on 16 of the 17 key votes. In fact, all he helped to accomplish with his one yes vote was to allow liquor stores to be open Sunday. We need more and we deserve more and now we need to say no to do-nothing politicians.”

Karvelis, a former high school teacher in Brooklyn and Manhattan, also worked as a Field Investigator for the New York State Department of Labor. He later spent 30 years in the private sectorworking with banks, securities firms and insurers as an officer and executive in the fields of publicfinance, public policy, municipal research and public cash management.

Karvelis is Election Moderator in Redding and a member of the Region 9 Board of Education and a former member of the Board of Assessment Appeals. He is also Vice President of the Board of Representatives of C.E.S. (Cooperative Educational Services), which is one of six regional educational service centers and is a State-chartered entity providing cooperative services to school districts throughout Fairfield County.

“As a true steward of our environment, Leon will protect our natural resources. Leon’s experience has already proven his commitment to our families and our quality of life,” said Weston First Selectman Gayle Weinstein.

(Editor's note: Earlier this year, Shaban rebutted the League of Conservation Voters' claim about his environmental record.)


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