When I became a Selectman in 2015, I was long on enthusiasm but short on knowledge of the inner workings of local government. Since then, I have put all of my free time and energy into filling the gap between knowledge and enthusiasm.
I have attended every possible town event and board meeting that I could. I have served on the Livable Communities Committee, Sustainability Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee. I put together and hosted an Emergency Services Community Forum at Seymour Middle School.
I started holding “Sitdowns with a Selectman” on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Pub 67 to give residents a chance to express their ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. Basically, I have immersed myself in all things Seymour in the hopes of being able to better serve the residents whom I am lucky enough to represent.
Over the last several months I have been out speaking with over a thousand people and gathering their thoughts on the issues facing Seymour. The common themes I have heard are a failed Economic Development policy, inadequate walkability and access to downtown, and still, a lack of communication options.
If I am lucky enough to be re-elected on Nov. 7 I will continue my efforts to revitalize our economic development. Our current policies are failing and we are not adding business at anywhere near the rate that our neighbors in Ansonia, Derby, and Oxford are.
We have an Economic Development Commission which has faced mass exodus after being rendered powerless. We have a paid Economic Development professional who spends the majority of his time working on a 900 foot Greenway Trail which is now months behind schedule.
Instead of focusing so much time on the Greenway Trail, we should be putting effort into creating a more walkable town. Sidewalks are either missing or crumbling throughout the town. We need to make it easier for our resident to access what we do have to offer downtown including the Greenway Trail. It is no secret that people are gravitating towards cities that feature excellent walkability. We cannot afford to ignore this issue.
I am also advocating for improving the parks in Seymour. We have a lot of great events for families here as evidenced by the Downtown Trick or Treat and Trunk or Treat at the Middle School just this past weekend, but the parks are not up to the level that I would like. Swing sets have been removed from parks and we do not have a single fully functional basketball court in town. The skate park should also become more of a priority again.
There is a lot that I wish to help accomplish in Seymour. I have lofty goals for the town I have called home for my entire life. If re-elected the most important things that I will do are continue to listen and to learn. I intend on still attending every event and meeting that I am able to. I will be working to promote my Sitdowns with a Selectman in better ways in hopes of reaching a bigger audience.
I will bring into my next term the same enthusiasm that I had two years ago, but this time I will have the added benefit of experience. Seymour, I hope I’ve earned your support once more.
The writer is a member of the Seymour Board of Selectmen running for re-election on the Democratic line.
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