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Taking My Campaign to the People
By Ned Coll, Barkhamsted
 | | Robert Kennedy and Edmond T. "Ned" Coll |
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The Voice—what a great name. We all have one. The voice is the inner voice, or the soul. The only way to reach the inner voice is through continual reflection on the only Holy Bible, or through brief daily prayer on our knees. When Jesus Christ said, "Ask and you shall receive," he meant it. We are not asking continuously, and that is why America was in such a state of sin before September 11. We were taking our freedom for granted.
I am seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor of Connecticut, after 37 years of Peace Corps-styled service in this state. God has blessed me at the age of 61 with great spirituality to apply to our work. I have helped the people of this state with even greater energy since my first mystical experience on Pentecost Sunday, 1990. That experience has been followed by others, which transformed me gradually from a "Doubting Thomas" to one who firmly believes that prayer is the reason of our future. As a people we truly need God's grace.
I once served as Special Advisor to the late Ella Grasso, who was a woman I truly admired, as I said even when I resigned on a policy matter. She was as real and sincere as Governor Rowland is arrogant and disrespectful; my eyes have seen him in action.
The State Capitol should be open to all citizens and I pledge it would be under me. My parents both had Republican roots. (My dad was born in Washington, CT, and he was once a city assessor in Hartford.) I also have great respect for independent voters. But we are not going to make it in America without a new spirit of involvement, patriotism and hope. On the home front, these American flags must spur us on toward national and state unity and hope.
If you want credentials, in 1970 I was named one of the "Ten Outstanding Young Men in America." I am one of the original founders of Habitat for Humanity in Americus, GA, and the creator of spiritual renewal called God Activism in 1990. My career has been lined with awards for 35 years. I am proud of this, but not too proud. Awards give you a lift, but they are also meant to drive you on in public service; to think otherwise is foolish.
Ella Grasso had a vision of what a true governor should be. She appointed good commissioners, but always reminded them of the need for team effort, and her office took citizen complaints seriously. I often took poor and working class families to the Governor's Mansion to swim in the pool and be her guest at picnics. Some of them are now adults and still talk about those happy moments. Yes, she was for real. I can see the laughter now, and I can also remember her continual silent trips to St. Joseph's Cathedral at night to pray for all the people in this state, and that God would give her strength on the job and also bless her loved ones. She was bright, had roots, and was humble just like her friend Jimmy Carter.
I am taking my campaign to the people. It goes nowhere without invitations to your homes, meetings, talk shows, schools, unions, businesses and churches. I also appeal to groups such as motorcycle clubs, many of which have inspired others with their American flags since September 11. Too many write these people off; I don't.
If elected, I would immediately begin saving the state money. I would give $75,000 of my salary back to the state; I would suggest John Rowland do the same. And Governor Rowland sees no problem in his budget director getting a proposed salary increase of 28%, from $100,000 a year to $128,000 annually; I would find a public-spirited commissioner who would be willing to serve for 10% less.
I have put my money into the campaign, and all of my experience and drive into public service. Over the last several years I have walked over 3,000 miles for more priests and prayer. If you would like to contribute to my campaign, send checks to: Ned Coll for Governor, PO Box 1625, Hartford, CT 06110. Please give generously; each dollar will stand up against television ads purchased by lobbyist donations. You may call me at 860-379-7832 at my Barkhamsted home.
This campaign is about old values and new ideas! Come home, Connecticut, to "In God We Trust!" When you see me anywhere, say "hello."
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