Two years ago, I had the privilege of running for the Board of Selectmen in Seymour after serving 35 years as a teacher at Seymour High School.
I won a seat for the Democratic Party and became a minority member of the Board.
From the very first meeting, I began to ask questions regarding economic development.
I specifically questioned the vacant building that is Seymour Lumber as I had been told that there was an interest in developing the property.
Two years later it is still vacant and an eyesore as you approach the downtown area in Seymour.
Add to that the property where Housatonic Wire used to stand before the fire and subsequent clean-up and you will find a prime location for businesses and condos or apartments.
With the revitalized Naugatuck River, the fish by-pass ladder and the new Broad Street Park, the area would be aesthetically pleasing for retailers, customers and residents and would provide the Town with much needed additional revenue which perhaps could help reduce the high property taxes currently being paid by home owners.
Residents of this Town should question the current administration on the lack of economic development despite a tax incentive program passed early in 2012.
As stated in the policy, “Economic development efforts will concentrate on the growth of existing businesses, retention of jobs, redevelopment or rehabilitation of unused and underutilized commercial and industrial properties to return them to productive use, and attraction of new companies to enhance and expand our tax base and improve quality of life in the community.”
Also, for the last two years I asked at almost every meeting about the status of the property located on Route 67 at the end of Exit 22.
I am pleased that at long last progress is being made regarding the development of that property. But there is much more that must be done to make the Town of Seymour a desirable location for new business.
The current Downtown Committee recently made a detailed report to the Board of Selectmen and outlined some creative ideas for improving the Main Street area.
It is my deepest hope that the current Administration will immediately work to implement this Committee’s recommendations.
I would like to encourage the electorate to examine the economic issues facing our community and to return balance to the major Boards serving the Town of Seymour.
Finally, I would like to encourage the voters of the Town of Seymour to exercise their right to vote for the best qualified candidates on November 5th.
Sincerely yours,
Karen R. Stanek
The writer is running for re-election to the Board of Selectmen as a Democrat.
The Valley Indy accepts guest columns/letters of up to 500 words.
