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Health & Fitness

Door–to-Door with Deputy First Selectman John K. Hampton

A journal from the campaign trail! Selectman John Hampton presents stories from the campaign trail — a daily account of his time spent visiting Simsbury residents during his race for re-election.

One of my favorite campaign practices is to go door to door — meeting Simsbury residents at their homes, up close and personal, listening to their concerns, learning what is on their minds and what we can do as town officials to improve their quality of life.

From Adams Road to Wyngate, I criss-cross this wonderful town, meeting the amazing people that make up the fabric of our community.

I start in the summer, making stops in Weatogue, West Simsbury, Simsbury Center and Tariffville.

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Some people think I am a traveling salesman, selling vacuum cleaners; others wonder if I am a Jehovah’s Witness or Mormon, preaching the good word.

Most people are eager to talk and I am eager to listen.

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And every day and every street it is different:

At one door, I meet a widowed senior citizen who is worried about tax relief and how she hopes to stay in the home that she and her husband built.

Another home I visit is a young family, new to town, wanting to discuss the school system, class sizes and what we are doing to improve nutrition programs in the elementary schools.

And down the road is a gentleman in his early 40s, newly unemployed, applying for jobs and worried about his mortgage.

Of course, I get the occasional door slam or a person who doesn’t vote and doesn’t care to (my pet peeve) and usually at least one dog bite. Plus, I am wearing out my shoes.

But these perils are a small price to pay for this incredible opportunity to visit with the folks that I have been proud and honored to serve. It is the democratic process at its best.

Simsbury residents are warm, friendly and quite informed.

People always suggest that I write a book about all my experiences. I thought I would start a blog — to share, inform and pass along my stories “going to door to door.”

Stay tuned and hopefully I’ll see you in your neighborhood soon.

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