ANSONIA — As Economic Development Director and Grants Administrator for the City of Ansonia, I have helped to secure over $60 million in grant funds and helped to attract, retain and expand the business community over the last 8 years and I’m writing to tell you that none of that could have been accomplished without the support of these efforts by Mayor Cassetti’s team on the Board of Aldermen.
Every grant I have helped secure and every business I have helped along the way has been because our team didn’t shy away from appropriating matching grant funds when necessary, so that we were able to compete and win grants that would have otherwise been out of our league. Our team understood the importance of and created tax incentives for businesses in order to establish public/private partnerships.
They knew that we needed to create incentives because Ansonia has been left with contaminated, underutilized or unused properties that are inverted. They understand that the best way to turn those properties around is to attract private investment. Our Board of Aldermen never once backed down from developers who were looking to take advantage of our city.
Our Board of Aldermen members recognized the importance of acquiring Ansonia Copper and Brass regardless of the enormous complexities and challenges that the site presents because they understood that the acquisition and development of a parcel that large could mean everything to Ansonia. It was and still is Ansonia’s future.
The importance of all of these Board supported initiatives should not be taken lightly. Mayor Cassetti’s vision for Ansonia has always been to secure funding to create a healthy and thriving community, to stabilize taxes for the residents and to enhance their quality of life. Every step of the way, Mayor Cassetti and this administration has been successful because we have the full support, strength and commitment of our BOA members. They are invested in Mayor Cassetti’s positive vision for Ansonia and they have helped pave the way for all of the wonderful advancements we have made.
In short, they have allowed Ansonia to grow and prosper through their commitment and concurrence with the Mayor’s vision.
Please know that I have worked for many communities over the years and have dealt with many Boards of Aldermen and First Selectmen, but until I came to Ansonia, I have never had the full support and cooperation of a Board of Aldermen behind me and it has made all the difference in the accomplishments we have achieved.
I can assure you, there is no worse situation you can face as a grants administrator and economic development director than to have a board at odds and wanting to “make trouble“ for a mayor – the result is gridlock and missed opportunities. The community suffers in those instances. I actually worked in a community who had a board member that once said “we can’t afford to get grants.”
Well, I’m telling you that Ansonia cannot afford to elect naysayers and aldermen who don’t share a common vision for Ansonia. Help us continue to do our very best for Ansonia by electing Mayor Cassetti’s team on November 2nd. Please vote ROW B.
Sheila O’Malley
The writer is the City of Ansonia’s Economic Development Director and Grant Writer.
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