In front of a restored downtown industrial site, First Selectman Paul Roy officially announced his bid for re-election in the 2011 campaign Friday.
Roy cited among his accomplishments energy savings at town buildings, grants for town projects, and new businesses — including Diversified Electric Services Inc., which recently opened in the former New Haven Copper site on Main Street.
Standing outside the company’s front door, Roy thanked his supporters and promised to keep trying to make Seymour a better place.
Click play on video to see his whole speech.
Roy, a Democrat, unseated former First Selectman Robert Koskelowski in 2009.
Roy said he was proud of several accomplishments during his first term.
- Roy said he started the energy commission, which found ways to save money at school and town buildings
- Roy said he received grants for items including downtown sidewalks and improvements at French Memorial Park.
- Roy said he was able to get the town unions to negotiated givebacks during a tough budget cycle in 2010.
- Roy hired a new economic development director last week.
Roy’s campaign manager Fred Stanek said Roy ran a campaign in 2009 of “a new vision for a better Seymour.”
Stanek said under Roy’s leadership, that new vision is coming through.
“Everyone is impressed with Paul’s attitude and respect for people,” Stanek said.
Roy will likely face Republican W. Kurt Miller, who has already announced his plans to seek the Republican nomination.
Miller questioned some of Roy’s statements Friday, saying he took credit for things other selectmen or volunteers had initiated.
Miller said Roy made “wild promises” during the last election that he hasn’t followed through on. He cited specifically Tri-Town Plaza, a vacant retail strip near the Ansonia border.
Roy, when asked about Tri-Town, said his promise was to settle a lawsuit with property owner Ron Spector.
He said it’s now up to Spector to find a tenant for the property — although the town would help if it can.
“We settled the lawsuit,” Roy said. “That’s all we said we would do.”
Both men said they look forward to the competition ahead.
“Take the politics out of it, and Paul is a good guy,” Miller said. “I think it’s going to be a campaign on the issues.”
“Kurt is a formidable opponent,” Roy said. “It’s going to be a tough campaign, but I’m up to the challenge.”
