Let’s put partisan politics aside for a moment.
Republicans and Democrats on the Ansonia Board of Aldermen are united in their support of a broad range of referendum initiatives that will appear on the ballot next week.
These initiatives are designed to allow our city to move forward with critical improvements while keeping taxes under control.
Voters will find a total of ten questions that will appear on the front and back of their ballots. Each question calls for a “Yes” or “No” vote. It may therefore take voters longer than usual to fill out their ballot this year. However, we assure you that it will be worth the effort.
The first six ballot questions ask permission for the city to bond (borrow) funds to complete a number of long-overdue capital improvement projects. These projects include the replacement of deteriorating roofs, the repair of failing heating and ventilation systems in old city buildings and the purchase of land along Olson Drive for possible use as open space.
(Click here for a previous Valley Indy story)
Additionally, the city is seeking to borrow funds to enhance public safety by enhancing school security and purchasing property that will allow for the expansion of the Ansonia Police Department.
The bonding process allows the city to pay for the needed improvements while being responsible to taxpayers. The retirement of existing bond obligations places the city in a position where it can take on new projects without significantly increasing its existing level of indebtedness.
The alternative to bonding would be to include funding for the needed repairs in the city budget. However, this would have an absolutely disastrous impact on taxpayers.
The final four ballot questions deal with proposals to revise the city charter. The most significant of these is ballot question 7, which would allow taxpayers to have a vote on a proposed city budget if it carries as net tax increase of 3% or more. This innovative proposal, referred to as the “Responsible Referendum,” would give voters a measure of control over their taxes for the first time in Ansonia’s history,
The remaining charter revision questions seek approval to save taxpayer money by publishing public notices online and updating the dollar threshold that requires the city to publicly solicit for bids. There is also a question requesting that an attendance policy be established for city board and commissions to ensure officials in city hall are working diligently on Ansonia residents’ behalf.
Each of the ten questions stands on its own, meaning there is the potential for some to pass and others to fail.
As representatives from both parties, we urge residents to vote “Yes” on the entire range of ballot questions. Political differences aside, we both recognize the charter revision and bonding initiatives to be in the best interest of Ansonia.
John Marini (Republican)
Board of Aldermen – 7th Ward
Chairman, Charter Revision Commission
Gene Sharkey (Democrat)
President, Board of Aldermen – 6th Ward
Bipartisanship at it’s finest! The people of Ansonia will benefit from a YES vote on all 10 ballot questions, especially # 7, which gives our voters a much needed voice in the budget process.
I had Gene come to my house asking to vote “YES on 7,” and all I see are signs that say vote “YES on 7. When both parties completely agree on an issue, chances are it is best for our society. I want to thank Valley Independent Sentinel (I REALLY miss the Evening Sentinel)for this article. Excellent work in ALWAYS bringing OUR news to the Valley. I am voting for “YES on 7.”
John Clifford Jr
Ansonia
John you make a good point about the benefit to our city regarding #7, the responsible referendum.however this was thee big issue on the charter revision commission, an issue which the Democratic members unanimously voted “no” to on 3 separate occasions! Further at the debate this was the question to mayor Dellavolpe,does he support the responsible referendum? He never indicated his position, neither yes or no.so to sum up,we have all the democrats on c.r. voting no all 3 times. Commission member Knapp missed one of these meetings (vacation)? It was only after the B.o.A chambers were filled with taxpayers did the board unanimously support #7. Yet 2 Democratic alderman still voiced skepticism on the responsible referendum. See valley Indy article dated 8-27-13
Dan – Thank you for the added information. It is always good to get insight.