STRATFORD -- While the intense mayor's race, one of the hottest in the region, has dominated the headlines and attention during this year's municipal campaign, the entire 10-member Town Council is also up for re-election -- with only two incumbents seeking re-election to the current 7-3 GOP majority.
Only Republicans John Dempsey, R-5, and William Stroomer, R-7, are seeking re-election to the 10-member panel, as Council Chairman Mike Henrick, R-10, and Minority Leader Alvin O'Neal, D-2, cannot run again after serving three consecutive terms. Council Majority Leader Michael Julian, R-1 and Parliamentarian Joseph Kubic, R-9, are not seeking re-election.
Under the Town Charter candidates must step down after three two-yearterms, but can run again after sitting out one term.
What it all means is if Democratic Mayor James R. Miron does hold off his three challengers, he might have the chance for the first time since he was elected the town's first mayor in 2005 to work with a Democratic majority on the council.
"That would be very important," Miron said. "The Republicans have been obstructionists and if I had a Democratic-controlled council we get far more accomplished for the good of the town."
But it also means if Republican candidate Rep. John Harkins wins, he could be forced to work with a Democratic council, in much the same way Miron has had to work with a GOP-controlled council the past four years.
"I certainly hope if I am elected we also have a Republican majority," Harkins said. "But during my thirteen years serving as a state representative I have been able to reach across the aisle and work with Democrats on some very important issues. I believe that is one of my strengths as a government servant, and am willing to work with who ever is elected to the council."
And, if either independent candidate Domenic Costello or George Mulligan were to gain election, they would have to work with a council represented by Republicans and Democrats they have been critical of during the campaign.
"That wouldn't be a problem for me," said Costello. "I believe a good idea can come from anyone, no matter what party affiliation they have. I'm willing to listen to good ideas from people in both (major) political parties."
1 comment:
Forget Miron he did the best he could but needless to say his time in the mayors seat is history. Stratford needs to stop low income housing, improve our city's service to home owners and make quality education/schools a priority as it impacts our children and the value of each of our homes. Our town borders on being a dumping ground for the un-wanted and non productive if we are not diligent about preserving and maintaining what we have. We have a beautiful historic charming town that is negatively impacted by incompetent economic and housing development. In addition to lack of city ordinances that allow home owners to cut up a single family home and divide it into 6 rentals thereby destroying the character of our town. This ignorance leads to over crowding of our streets with cars, noise, and individuals who do not own homes but rent rooms... If I wanted to live in a community of middle aged apartment dwellers who rent rooms I would not have chosen Stratford to raise my family in! Somehow town officials don't see this... If you can not afford to keep your home sell it! Do not subject our town to desperate individuals seeking room rentals. I am empathetic and am all for helping people but not at my neighbors expense. These individuals should go to a shelter or an apartment complex that was designed for such not our bedroom community. In addition, these homeowners owners many of which are earning tax free income on these rentals why I pay a lot of money in taxes to live in this community. Wake Up Stratford!!! Economic development should focus on quality shops with health conscious attitudes such as whole foods or boutique grocers such as trader joes who have stellar reputations in the community. Enough of the bargain basement shoping town of wall mart,marshals Dollar stores etc.... When is someone in this town going take pride in developing it. The Shakespeare theater is a joke.. Tear it down and put up a recreational facility for our children put a man made lake there with benches and trees for the community to enjoy.. Greta Garbo is not coming back and theater goers go to Broadway... We can't even sell out tickets at our other theater in town stop wasting time and money on this like you have for the last 20 years.... Its time Stratford stops striving to find itself and begins focusing on defining itself as Fairfield county's up and coming best kept secret. Mayor Harkins I hope has the same attitude but he is only a small part of the picture. Town members must demand a change and stop looking the other way.
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