ANSONIA — With about a week left until Election Day, the entire slate of Democratic candidates for office on Row A want to thank you, the residents of the of Ansonia, for allowing us to connect with you during our campaign this year. Whether it be in-person, over the phone, or even on the numerous local online Facebook groups, we appreciate the questions, concerns and issues you have brought to us and have thoroughly enjoyed talking with all of you.
There have been a number of common concerns we have heard throughout every part of the city — concerns that we also share, and will address if given the opportunity to serve you.
Many residents do not know who their current Aldermen/Alderwomen are, or what function the Board of Aldermen serves. This will change with our slate of candidates. We will be visible, accessible and responsive, and serve as a collaborative team to create meaningful communication and collaboration with residents in all wards across Ansonia.
Many homeowners are concerned their property taxes will go up again next year with revaluation scheduled for 2022. We will work to keep taxes down.
There needs to be more careful and transparent fiscal management of the city budget. Row A will act on behalf of you, our neighbors, as watchdogs to ensure that tax dollars — your hard-earned money — are spent wisely by the city.
We are focused on economic development to further improve our great city, and feel this must be done thoughtfully, mindful of the quality-of-life of our residents. Residents have cited the rock crushing on Riverside Drive, making East Main St. a one-way road, and the reluctance of some Republican aldermen to consider using the Olson Drive property as public space for a park, bandshell, or community center as examples.
Residents are concerned about crime in their neighborhoods. We will advocate for additional police presence in areas of concern, and push for the funding needed to keep our residents safe.
We need better support & funding for our public schools. The endorsement of 8 of our candidates by the CT American Federation of Teachers shows how serious we are about education.
We are a capable, sensible, and forward-thinking group of veterans, educators, blue- and white-collar workers, union members, small business owners, social workers, volunteer firefighters, coaches, mentors, homeowners and renters alike. We’ve served our community on a variety of boards and organizations such as:
TEAM, Inc.
Valley Save Our Youth
Boy & Girls Club
Boy Scouts of America Housatonic Council
Youth Juvenile Review Board
Pop Warner Football
City commissions and boards, including Board of Aldermen, Board of Education, Planning & Zoning, Elderly Services, Inland Wetlands and Charter Review
Our candidates care and are ready to work for the people of Ansonia! Our endorsements include:
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro
State Senator Jorge Cabrera
State Representative Kara Rochelle
The American Federation of Teachers, Connecticut Chapter
Western CT AFL-CIO
We love Ansonia. We are proud to call you our neighbors, and would be honored to represent you. Again, thank you for sharing your time with us the past few months.
Please vote for the Row A Democratic slate on November 2nd. But most importantly, GO VOTE!
Signed
John Feddern, Gary Farrar, Jr., Bill Phipps, Joe Jeanette, Diane Stroman, Rohan Brown, Brian Perkins, David Rhodes, Chris Grizzle, Jonathan Vining, Len Duffus, Steve Erlingheuser, Lauren Todd, David Knapp, Kianna DeCiucis & Beth Lynch
The authors are the Democratic endorsed slate of candidates.
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