Letter: Anthony on the State of the Town

From Republican Candidate for Mayor Bob Anthony:

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am Bob Anthony, Republican mayoral candidate for the town of Hamden.

The one question I get asked more than any other is why run for mayor? My response is that I thought long and hard about this decision. I considered many viewpoints and concluded that our town is in dire need of change, and with your help, we can make a positive difference. This is a critical election for the future of our town.

Since 1980 there have only been 2 Republican mayors for a total of four years.
Hamdens Mayor’s office has been controlled by one party for nearly 15 years, and the last time the Republicans controlled the Town Council was 1987.

We need to hold long entrenched “career politicians” accountable for the dire direction the town is heading, and re-establish a two-party system in our town. We need to bring forth a new era of fiscal stability and better ideas for our town. I believe I can help make that a reality.

I am a lifelong resident of the town. I spent my entire working career in Hamden’s Fire Department, where I severed with pride and distinction. In short, this town means far too much for me to turn my back on it in these difficult times. I look around and see our infrastructure crumbling, our educational system struggling, our finances weakening and our citizens and retirees living in fear of what will happen next.

If elected, my administration will focus on the many challenges facing the town over years of mismanagement and cronyism. For many voters, they simply do not have the time to monitor what is happening around them. In fact, the only clue that that voters get that something is amuck is when they get their tax bill. The one thing they can count on is that their tax bill has gone up and will continue to rise as long as nothing changes.

For those of you who have cast your votes for the party in power, I ask that you keep an open mind. Single party politics simply does not work. I invite Democrats, Republicans and Independents to work with me. No one will be excluded. The voice of the people will be a warm and welcome sound in the halls of government should I win your support.

Every member of my administration will have as their number one priority a mandate to resolve our financial crisis. We will look at reforming our current retirement plan as well as properly funding the plan in such a way as to create sustainability and predictability. Why should the most vulnerable among us have to worry if their check will arrive on time each month?

I know this is a top fear among the men and women who have served this town for all of their working lives only to wonder how they will make ends meet if the town fails to meet its obligations. I will commit to you here and now that I will resolve this issue.

You will be hearing more from me over the coming weeks and months as I visit our neighborhoods and meet each of you.

Stay tuned. I believe you will like what you read and hear.

Bob Anthony
Republican Candidate for Mayor of Hamden