While disappointed with the results, independent mayoral candidate Charles Baltayan said Tuesday night that he was successful in bringing to the front issues that he said aren't being addressed by those in office.
While campaigning, he heard from residents their concerns with how things are going, he said, though Tuesday's results didn't reflect those concerns.
"The votes registered clearly did not mirror the words on the street where people claimed to be fed-up with politics as usual and looking for a change," he said.
But his campaigning left a mark, Baltayan said.
"Certain good did come out of my running for the people of Hamden," he said, including:
- "the dissolution of the pension plan is being brought to the forefront where it never was discussed, with Jackson stating termination was not possible;"
- "the BOE has to make better choices when budgeting as it is impossible to justify laying off 5.5 teachers while 4 assistant principals stayed on being paid $120,000+ each at the High School;"
- "the whole trash system may go single stream after acknowledgment of a 2010 state study shows that trash (not recyclables) is about 60 percent recyclable, 29 percent organic and could be mostly recycled or composted in a single stream pickup of all items making it better for residents and better for the planet;"
- "awareness of potential issues with the acquisition of the Olin Powder farm in order to avoid another Newhall remediation disaster."
He also was disappointed that the proposed revisions to the Town Charter passed, Baltayan said.
"My fear is that the new charter will enable the Legislative Council and Mayor to 'bully' new projects on residents and then hold them hostage to pay for costly and not disclosed sums," he said, "like the $20 million Town Hall that turned into $43 million and counting."
And the proposed Fire Headquarters promises to be as problematic, he said.
"Stay tuned for new, unneeded (according to every Hamden fireman/voter I spoke with) firehouse and soccer complex," he said, "and to borrow for non capital expenses that should be paid as normal expenses. Back to politics as usual when people said they were tired of politicians."
It will be interesting to see is the cost per vote that the Democrats had to pay to get elected, he said.
"My self-funded campaign cost under $980 and garnered about 5 percent, or 536 votes, about $1.83 per vote, all at no taxpayer cost," he said. "Let's see how the costs compare and how much we taxpayers will pay for that cost."
In the end, the voters have spoken, and he accepts that, Baltayan said.
"I ran to be a part of a solution and the voters voted to continue the problem," he said. "I hope for the best. Thanks to those who supported positive change and good luck to us all."
