Papcin
Mayor Dave Cassetti and his Republican team have truly delivered, giving Ansonia four years of stable taxes and an explosion of economic development activity.
Our city has come so far in the last four years. It is so important that this progress continues. That means supporting the re-election of Mayor Cassetti and his team to keep our city moving in the right direction!
I’ve been reading a lot of the social media criticism by some of Mayor Cassetti’s opponents, and it’s clear they are ready and willing to “say anything” to reverse the course Ansonia is on. Much of this unsubstantiated criticism is based on some form of false narrative or just downright disingenuous.
The unusual rhetoric coming from the Raslan camp is concerning. Whether it be assailing Republicans for hosting a primary (a vital part of the democratic process), campaigning on a platform of honesty and integrity (while completely disregarding the transparency of Mayor Cassetti’s administration), or denying the obvious economic progress the city has been making (Mr. Raslan has confusingly stated that the Cassetti administration is “killing the local economy” in a February 21, 2017 Valley Independent column), the arguments of Raslan and his team have very little substance when weighing the current administration’s contributions to the city.
There will be a very high cost to pay if the wrong candidates are elected this year. The last time Mayor Cassetti’s opponents were in office the city saw a 11+ mill rate increase! And Mr. Raslan, the current Democrat nominee, has stated publicly at last year’s budget hearing that a tax increase is “something that he would support” (see 5/24/16 Board of Alderman Public Hearing Minutes, Page 19).
Mr. Raslan even stated that, as an investor, higher taxes did not concern him. Has he taken a look around Connecticut? Or the recent news of companies like GE and Alexion leaving for more business-friendly environments? Connecticut residents are staggering at the threat of job loss and it is utterly frightening to see there are those who still see higher taxes as an answer.
By comparison, Mayor Cassetti and his team have been able to cut against the grain, attracting business after business to Ansonia while retaining major taxpayers like the Farrel Corporation (see ansoniarecharged.com).
Shockingly, the Mayor’s opponent is against these developments, saying on Facebook on September 9th that “Ansonia should focus less on competing to poach businesses.” Where would Ansonia be today without the Mayor’s aggressive approach to business development?
Through it all Mayor Cassetti’s administration has continued to invest in Ansonia. We’ve seen regular increases in funding to our schools, community development through events such as our summer concert series, or being able to go out to a restaurant in our own city rather than seeking options in another community.
This year’s election presents voters with a clear choice: continue the progress realized under Mayor Cassetti, or return to stagnation as a result of higher taxation and an anti-business attitude?
This one is a no-brainer.
David Papcin
The writer is a member of the Board of Apportionment and Taxation.
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