First Selectman Kurt Miller announced Tuesday he has filed paperwork to seek a third term as the town’s top elected official.
“It has been my honor to serve the residents of Seymour for the last four years,” Miller said in a statement posted on his personal Facebook page.
His two-sentence announcement received 118 likes and 17 encouraging comments in under an hour.
One Facebook friend told him to fix Holbrook Road (it’s a $2 million repair job, the town is applying for federal funds to help, Miller said).
Miller, a Republican, was elected First Selectman in 2011, besting Democratic incumbent Paul Roy by about 350 votes.
He was re-elected in 2013, receiving 2,266 votes. He faced a challenge from write-in candidate Gary Bruce.
Miller has made stabilizing and strengthening Seymour’s finances a top priority.
To that end, Seymour received a bond rating upgrade last April, an indication of solid financial footing.
Under his leadership, the town created a 10-year strategic planning committee, a group whose purpose is to make sure sound financial practices become routine in town, regardless of who sits in the First Selectman’s chair.
Towns with solid bond ratings, low debt ratios and stable mill rates attract economic development, Miller said.
“Those things are not sexy, but our bond rating now is just below towns like Greenwich and Darien,” Miller said. “We’re saving residents money on long-term interest costs. Also, a fiscally strong town is going to attract more businesses. They are going to take a look at how the town is run and they are going to want to do business with Seymour.”
Miller also established a town Facebook page and revamped the town’s website, all in an effort to improve communication with residents.
The Democrats did not run a candidate in 2013.
However, Paul Roy, the chairman of the town’s Democratic Party and a current member of the Board of Selectmen, said his party is looking for a candidate.
An announcement could happen within the next four to six weeks, he said.
“We are talking to several people and we feel strongly that we’ll have a candidate,” Roy said.
Roy said he is not surprised Miller is seeking another term.
“He’s been fairly successful, he’s looking forward to it. Our whole Democratic Party expected him to run as well,” Roy said.
Right now there are two Democrats and five Republicans on the Board of Selectmen.
Miller said he would be happy to see the current crop re-elected, because they all work well together.
“When we disagree, it’s about the topic, not about the politics,” Miller said.
