With his latest column, Mayor Cassetti’s opponent presents a misguided plan for “savings” that will cost Ansonia millions in the long run.
Dismantling Economic Development. Mr. Raslan’s most bizarre proposal is to eliminate Sheila O’Malley, the Economic Development Director/Grant Writer that has spearheaded a spectacular explosion of business development in our city, brought in over $19 million in grant funds and overseen the expansion of Ansonia’s grand list by over $8 million.
Under a Raslan administration, that success will be rewarded with an enthusiastic “you’re fired!”
He claims this will “save” the city $114,000 over two years, yet the current Economic Development Director receives only $86,700 per year for both Economic Development and Grant Writing positions combined. Given that Mr. Raslan still intends to employ a Grant Writer at $55,000, the salary savings would only total about $62,000 over two years.
That’s a $31,000 per years savings that comes with the risk of derailing economic development in Ansonia.
This proposal shows one of two things: a desire to sabotage Ansonia’s progress for some unknown motive, or a supreme overconfidence in Mr. Raslan’s economic development abilities. Recall that Mr. Raslan has no track record when it comes to municipal Economic Development, compared to the decades of experience amassed by the current Economic Development Director.
Is Mr. Raslan truly proposing that we risk the progress in Ansonia so he can play economic development director?
What benefits? Mr. Raslan states that he will save taxpayer funds by refusing post-employment benefits that he would not be entitled to until after eight years as mayor (Ansonia Code, Section 1.1). Yet he claims this will save money on “day one.” Huh??
Constituents “out-of-luck” Mr. Raslan proposed firing a part-time constituent service director to save approximately $35,000 per year (he incorrectly cites the full-time salary that was cut down by Mayor Cassetti).
The position’s complete removal, along with the firing of the Economic Development Director, would leave only two full-time staff members in the Mayor’s Office: the Mayor and his secretary.
If Mr. Raslan has prior experience with the City of Ansonia, he might appreciate how busy city hall is. Until he learns, the constituents will suffer.
Unintended Consequences. The Economic Development Director also assists with personnel matters at no extra costs to the city? Mayor Cassetti eliminated separate pay for a personnel director years ago. As another consequence of firing Ms. O’Malley, Mr. Raslan will need to hire more staff or assume those duties himself.
Forgoing the Mayor’s Vehicle. Mr. Raslan points out that most Ansonia residents pay for their own car and gas. This is true. It’s also true that most residents pay motor vehicle taxes to the city.
Mr. Raslan’s “savings” proposal misses the forest for the trees and betrays a limited understanding of how city government works. This, combined with his ultra-harsh critique of every action taken by the Cassetti administration, paints a picture of a political opportunist that will “say anything” to gain a job at city hall.
Also note that this wrongheaded plan for “savings” would do nothing to prevent a tax increase under Mr. Raslan, who has publicly stated that higher taxes are something “he would support.” (see 5/24/16 Board of Alderman Public Hearing Minutes, Page 19).
The author represents the Seventh Ward on the Ansonia Board of Aldermen.
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