LETTER: Hamden Election 2013: No Choice But the Status Quo

To the Editor:

When Hamden residents go to the polls Tuesday they will choose between the incumbent, tax-and-spend Democrat Scott Jackson, and pro-union Republican, Bob Anthony.

Mayor Jackson’s record of heavy spending, particularly on the police station / town hall project, and the now-approved pension bonding plan has driven a cumulative 32.4% mill rate increase over the last 4 years. Looking forward, that trend will surely continue under his administration, with high benefit costs and school spending driving taxes ever higher.

Mr. Anthony’s union affiliation pretty much eliminates any possibility that his administration would negotiate the concessions necessary to make Hamden’s financial future viable. Jackson’s union record isn’t good either. He pushed for pension bonding, a scheme, which will compel tax increases for decades.

Vera Morrison’s re-election for Town Clerk is a no-brainer. Her integrity and service to the town is exemplary.

The Town Council election is pretty much inconsequential. The Council has effectively been a rubber stamp for the Jackson administration, approving everything from the police station project and numerous bid-waivers to retiree health plan funding and pension bonding with little opposition. This Council has also overspent on the Board of Education. This year they actually doubled the Mayor’s proposed increase, a shameful disrespect to the taxpayers.

Only one councilperson, Tom Rousseau, had the guts to oppose Jackson’s bonding plan. Everyone who believes in fiscal integrity and tax restraint should commend Tom. We should also welcome back Jim Pascarella. The Council was much more effective under his leadership.

This month Connecticut magazine ranked Hamden 43rd of 44 towns with median housing values between $175,000 and $225,000. High crime, poor schools and bad economic factors including high taxes and low per capita income & grand list drove that horrible rating. The Jackson administration has failed to arrest Hamden’s decline.

Unfortunately for the residents, continuing on Jackson’s path, as poor as it has been, is probably better than the direction Mr. Anthony would take us. Why do we have to choose between bad and worse? We can only hope that our politicians will learn from their mistakes, rise to improve the town and show respect for the taxpayers through reduced spending.

Good luck to Hamden. We need it!

George Levinson
Hamden