The Oxford First Selectman’s race was turning out to be a traditional Republican versus Democrat battle, until veteran Republican David Haversat stepped in.
Haversat, 33, announced that he would run as a write-in candidate on Oct. 13.
“It’s not a conventional way of running but it has been done,” Haversat said in an interview last month at a local pizza shop.
He’s a known name in town. Haversat was on the Board of Selectmen from 2003 to 2007. He did not seek re-election in 2007.
In 2009, he challenged incumbent Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers for the First Selectman post — losing by only 33 votes.
“Because of my name recognition and experience, I think I can pull it off,” Haversat said.
Haversat said he threw his hat into the ring to give voters an option, because people were dissatisfied with the choice of Republican George Temple or unaffiliated candidate Joseph Calabrese, who is running on the Democratic ticket.
“A lot of people expressed to me they weren’t going to vote for anyone in the top slot this year because they didn’t like the choices, so I talked it over with my family and I decided I would take a run for it,” Haversat said. “I think out of the two candidates, the both of them have never been elected previously, and they never had to make hard decisions on behalf of the people. They never had to cut a budget or send a question to referendum. I have four years where I stood in office. I have a record.”
His Background
Haversat grew up in Oxford, and attended all local schools. Because Oxford didn’t have a high school at the time, he went to Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury.
Haversat is a graduate of Post University in Waterbury, and currently operates a small book publishing company — 1878 Press Co. — out of his home on Shelton Road in Oxford. The company recently published a biography of the great stage magician Harry Houdini.
He is the former owner of the S.S. Adams Co., a New Jersey-based manufacturer of magic tricks and novelties.
Haversat and his wife Nicole have a 14-month-old son, Nathan.
One of Haversat’s supporters is Harry Zuella, a Republican who is on the Republican Town Committee.
Zuella said Haversat could be the alternative people are looking for.
“I liked him as a candidate a number of times he’s run,” Zuella said. “I liked him because he really has some strong values about Oxford and where Oxford should be going. He’s very conservative when it comes to spending a lot of tax dollars. He wants to justify it. He wants priorities, to make sure it’s spend in the right way.”
Also, Haversat is not the type to make big promises and not keep them, Zuella said.
“He doesn’t make promises he can’t deliver,” Zuella said.
Oxford In Need
Haversat said he has helped Oxford get through major projects in the past.
“When I came in office in 2003 there were a lot of things on the table in Oxford. The high school issue was very controversial, and under my watch it was voted on and approved and built. We put an addition on Center School, purchased 127 acres of open space, and it happened through a lot of hard work and commitment from various boards and corporations,” Haversat said.
He is convinced Oxford is facing serious needs again.
The roads are in disrepair and there needs to be a plan to get them in shape. The high school needs fields. There is also an effort to build a town library on town-owned land on Great Oak Road.
Haversat said he can help bring economic development that will help pay for the things the town needs, without burdening the taxpayers.
“I got things accomplished in economic development. We brought in over 30 businesses, so I feel I am the most qualified for the job and throw my hat in the ring,” Haversat said.
He has a message to get out, for sure, but not a lot of time to do it.
It is the challenge of being a write-in candidate.
He talked about how he has to make people aware they have to check off the write-in choice on the paper ballot, and then write in his name or initial, something to show their intention of voting for him.
He is careful to note on all his signs that he is a write-in, and those words are written in large type so people can’t miss them.
“The thing I really have to express is I am in this to win it,” Haversat said.
