As a business owner on my ninth year in downtown Ansonia, I have a renewed excitement in the future of our city.
The Cassetti administration has an unyielding focus on economic development. There is much promise with the ATP & Palmer buildings as a local developer will propose 90+ apartments and a microbrewery. The Mayor and his team personally went to Washington to secure the funds to complete the road for the Fountain Lake development. Farrell continues to call Ansonia home due to the Casssetti team.
These are not easy times for any business to survive. It takes sacrifice. I know. There are some who fault Mayor Cassetti for having business troubles. I see a man who has struggled like all the rest of us, and unfortunately lost his business to conditions beyond his control. Our mayor is dedicated and has a good team. To be fair, I must state that I serve the city as a commissioner on the Economic Development Commission. Those who know me know I am not beholden to anyone. I am unaffiliated and proud to be part of the majority. (Yes, the unaffiliated outnumber the Democrats and the Republicans.) But we still have a lot of work to do.
Ansonia has an image problem. Many still see us as an industrial relic. Graffiti and cheesy signs prevail. On any day, you can see drunks walking Main Street (I’m told Chief Hale is working on bringing back foot or bike patrols.) Crime is an issue that has impacted all corners of the city.
Our administration needs to share their plan for our city that includes a proposed look and feel to business districts, such as having trees and brick pavers like the ones just installed on West Main. Establishing parks and activities for our youth (During the summer months, there really are no places for our youth to go.) Ideas such as a canoe launch, skate park, and safe marked bicycle routes are just a few. Ideas like this will help establish a new community pride and start to change the perception.
Small business is struggling. Our utility and communication rates are out of control. We are located in an enterprise zone, and yet there are no breaks for those who make the city unique and desirable place to shop. For example, a small business that is not a restaurant pays $60 a month when they use no gas. (Households pay $7.) The Mayor knows what is it is like to lose a business. If we do nothing to assist small business, all that will be left will be franchise chains with no personal service and little choice. Too many residents already travel to the Post Road for that.
Ansonia has the potential to be the best it has been in a long time. I believe the Cassetti Team is headed in the right direction and proudly has my vote, but I believe there is still a lot that needs to be done.
The writer is an Ansonia resident and member of the city’s Economic Development Commission.
The Valley Indy welcomes your opinion on local issues.
During the political season (roughly July to November) we ask that you limit your guest columns to 500 words.
This is because of the large number of submissions we receive.
Guest columns longer than 500 words will be edited. We try to get guest columns on as soon as possible, but delays are sometimes unavoidable.
We ask that you keep the discussions civil and refrain from personal attacks.
Please realize that guest columns are not the opinion of the Valley Indy writers, nor should the guest columns be considered news stories.
Guest columns are a platform for people to express their opinions.
