LETTER: Two Views on Governing

To the Editor:

Hamden residents will soon be going to the polls to vote in another local election. In the past several elections voters have consistently cast their votes for the Democrats; most being unaware of the poor financial climate of the town. 

In the case of Mayor Scott Jackson (Democrat), he has won past elections in spite of his fiscal record, mainly due to his ability to down play the unprecedented debt the town has incurred. Mayor Jackson has been directly involved in running the town for eight years - four as the Chief Administrative Officer for Mayor Henrici and four as mayor. Our current debt load can be laid directly at the feet of Mayor Jackson.

Clearly, Hamden is in very deep trouble with a Triple B bond rating and dropping rapidly. Borrowing money has been the practice of Mayor Jackson’s administration. You may have heard of the $125 million price tag to bail out the failed pension fund. This item alone is the smoking gun that points to policies that continue to create an environment of higher and higher taxes with no end in sight. 

Where has this gotten Hamden residents? I believe in deeper and deeper debt and on the road to insolvency. You may want to revisit Waterbury’s fiscal history to find out what happens when the State takes over a town. 

Republican candidate Bob Anthony’s entire platform consists of fiscally responsibility, tough on crime, retention of the Woodin Street Fence, insuring Hamden’s infrastructure is adequately maintained and insuring Hamden taxpayers are considered before any decisions impact their future. This is what Bob Anthony believes and will deliver to the people of Hamden.

In this election, the voters of Hamden have a very clear choice. Vote for the continuation the present administration that will keep spending money and raising taxes or vote for Bob Anthony, who has pledged to build his administration on financial stability and public security.  

In order to not lose control of our town and its independence, we will need strong leadership that can protect the citizens of this town while getting our fiscal house back in order.  We need Bob Anthony for Mayor in 2013. 

Ron Gambardella
Republican Town Committee Chairman