My name is Tara Kolakowski and I am running for City Treasurer.
I am a graduate of Ansonia High School and received my undergraduate degree from Fairfield University.
I am a second-generation American. My maternal grandparents, Angelo Culmo and Lillian Mezzestesta Culmo, came from Italy and my paternal grandparents, John Kolakowski and Mary Dalton Kolakowski’s roots are from Poland and Ireland, respectively.
My parents Robert “Pudgie” Kolakowski and Connie Culmo Kolakowski, chose to raise their four children in Ansonia.
All who came before me, chose Ansonia and I am grateful they did. I also choose Ansonia and am proud to call it my home.
I have always tried to make the best possible decisions for the City and for the residents who live and work here.
One of the reasons I decided to run for City Treasurer is because I feel it is a place where I can make a difference and help in the progress of the City.
For example, two years ago, We The Residents, voted to fund Bond projects in the City, one being the pavement of designated roads.
As stated in the Valley Indy on November 12, 2013:
“Officials on Tuesday also recounted the results of a citywide referendum question which asked whether residents approved of borrowing $495,000 to pay for road and parking improvements on Woodbridge Avenue Extension, Beech Street, the Hilltop Hose Driveway, and the West Main Street parking lot. On election night the question passed …”
What is the status of this project and the others that were passed ?
Were all of the roads paved?
When were they paved?
How much of the $495,000 was used for these two roads, the driveway and the parking lot?
I believe it is important to have a monthly and or quarterly update on the financial stages and advancement of each project.
The City of Ansonia’s website is the first or second point of contact and reference for residents and the ideal place to keep track of the bond projects.
What is the status of the other projects? Who is managing the projects? A timeline for the progress of each bond project should be listed on the City website, easily and readily available for residents to access and monitor.
At the time of the submission of this letter, October 26, 2015, no information was listed online at www.cityofansonia.com.
These projects are supposed to be going on right now in Ansonia. They are multi-million dollar projects whose completion effect all of our lives today, and make Ansonia a better
place in the future.
Therefore, I would start by focusing on the bond projects that “We the Residents” approved with our votes.
Let’s move Ansonia forward together.
Thank you for your support.
The writer is running for city treasurer on the Democratic Party line
The opinions in guest columns do not necessarily reflect the Valley Indy’s opinion.
