Note: This letter was directed to the chairman of the Bristol Democratic Town Committee.

To the editor:

I am writing to inform you that I have changed my voting affiliation from a Democrat to an Independent and am resigning from the Bristol Democratic Town Committee for the remainder of the 2017-2018 current term. By way of this letter, I am also asking the Town Clerk to remove my name from the list of Bristol Democratic Town Committee candidates in the upcoming election.

This is a difficult decision for me. I have made many friends in Democratic politics and have had the opportunity to attend national conventions and participate in local and state government. I have supported Democrat candidates and raised money for the party, as well as held leadership positions in the party. 

Sadly, the Democratic Party has moved too far to the left and rather than being the “big tent” it once was, moderate Democrats, like me, that do not endorse and express the so-called “progressive” (really socialist) positions are being pushed out and marginalized.

Even more disappointing is that our local town committee is looking to the national Democratic Party for philosophical guidance. We should be focused on issues close to home and how best to serve our neighbors in Bristol and not get embroiled in divisive national issues.

Local taxes and local services, like educational excellence, trash pick-up, snow plowing, waterfront development, sewage and water are what’s important at the local level.

We have seen how extremism in both the Republican and Democratic parties have caused gridlock in Washington — because no one will come to the middle — it is sad to see those same bad politics take root here.

Now, as an Independent who is moderate, I will look to Democrat ideas and Republican ideas, as well as Independent voters and strive for the middle ground. 

Douglas W. Gablinske

Bristol