In Ansonia, the focus of this year’s municipal election will be the city’s Board of Aldermen.
“It’s time for a change” states Joan Radin, Chairman of the Ansonia Republican Town Committee. The Board of Aldermen presently consists of 13 Democrats and only one Republican: Third Ward Alderman John Marini. From 1999 until Alderman Marini’s election in 2009, Democrats held all fourteen seats.
“This election boils down to Team Marini versus Team Blume” says Radin, referring to Stephen Blume, the Democratic President of the Board of Aldermen. Radin believes that a clear contrast can be drawn between the passive Democrats on the Board and the efforts of Alderman Marini. “The aldermen should be vocal advocates for the city” she explains.
“Our Republican candidates intend to follow Alderman Marini’s lead and raise the bar for public service in Ansonia.”
What can Ansonia’s residents expect from a Republican-led Board of Aldermen? The answer can be found in the Ansonia Republican’s 2011 Platform, listed below. According to Radin, the Platform is an “outline of priorities” espoused by “Team Marini.”
Highlights of the Platform include:
Keep Taxes Low
- Keep taxes rates low and predictable. No surprises like the proposed 8.4 percent tax hike in 2010 or the recent sewer rate increase.
- Establish a “Cost Savings Commission” of city officials, school board members and residents. This Commission would be tasked with identifying $1 million in operational cost savings by the end of 2012.
- Work to consolidate the health care plans for city and Board of Education employees.
Excellence in Education
- Foster closer year-round communication and cooperation between the Board of Aldermen and Board of Education through regular meetings, conferences and seminars.
- Develop a plan to institute Full-Day Kindergarten.
Stand Up to Crime
- Establish a more visible police presence throughout Ansonia.
- Support our block watches and community-based crime stopping efforts.
Strategy for Economic Development
- Establish a plan for the re-development of former industrial sites and vacant factory buildings.
- Strengthen our business community through a new and revitalized Ansonia Business Council and Economic Development Commission.
- Continue the successful state-funded Small Cities housing rehabilitation program.
- Aggressively pursue new state and federal grants to assist the Ansonia Nature Center, Library and Senior Center.
Open Government
- Videotape Board of Aldermen meetings and make videos available on our city website.
- Publish Town and Board of Education Expenditures on our city website.
Headquarters Opened
The Ansonia Republicans will be holding a Grand Opening event for their campaign headquarters on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
The headquarters is located at 48 Bridge Street (former site of the “Scissors” hair salon).
All city residents and media are invited.
For more information about the campaign, visit Marini’s election website or Facebook page.
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