Seymour will benefit by electing an individual to office who has the ability to work with members from both parties for the benefit of all its citizens. Since I served on the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Finance, the Civil Service Commission, and the Board of Education I have the experience necessary to build a consensus on matters that are important to constituents. This experience is supplemented by a strong working relationship with both sitting and former state officials.
Several years ago, this relationship resulted in the former state Attorney General supporting my leadership in conducting a successful investigation into the Seymour Ambulance Association’s previous management. This helped define an organization that now offers a well-respected and financially secure service for all those in medical need.
Additionally, my tenure as Chairman of the Liaison Committee for the Board of Education during fiscally troubled times, led to wage and benefit contract negotiations that resulted in a “Zero” increase in all five union contracts. This saved taxpayers thousands of dollars during tenuous budget deliberations.
Revaluation is just around the corner, and removing over $1,000,000 of requested capital projects from the budget last year to keep taxes artificially low was fiscally imprudent. We will still face these costly issues again next year.
Commercial and Industrial economic development is a major concern if we are to supplement our residential tax base. The Tri-Town Plaza and Route 8 corridor developments must be given the highest priority if we are to attain both tax relief as well as shopping conveniences for our citizens.
Another concern is the process we use to obtain grants from various sources every year. I believe efforts to communicate with the Trustees of the Katharine Matthies Foundation to obtain a recommended “preferential treatment” for Seymour must not continue to be ignored. In July of 2005, two letters were submitted to the First Selectman questioning the process where only 10 percent to 20 percent of the grants were being awarded to Seymour. A very detailed spreadsheet analysis prodded the Trustees to increase our benefit slightly, but it has not continued to the level required by the Trust documents.
We must amend our Charter again because the town failed to obtain the approximately 1,500 “Yes” votes for the suggested changes to become effective. Now we must wait another year before a new Commission can be appointed. And, legal fees are still being billed at approximately $160.00 per hour for what appears to be non-productive time.
A great deal of dedicated effort, and mutual cooperation is required to successfully address all these, as well as many other, issues after this upcoming November election. Strong leadership is paramount if we are to be successful as a community. Our voters now have a real “Choice” and can vote for a First Selectman who will make Seymour a proud community once again.
The writer is a petitioning candidate for Seymour First Selectman.
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