Election Section 2011

The Cheshire herald, OCTOBer 27, 2011

October 27, 2011

ELECTION 2011

The Cheshire herald, OCTOBER 27, 2011

Two

Election 2011 Candidates For All Offices Offer Their Reasons For Running Candidates for all offices were asked to briefly explain why they want to be elected to certain seats within Cheshire government. Here is what those who responded had to say. our work at Mixville park, is something I take very seriously and I want to see that continued and expanded. There is much that we want, but only so much that we can afford to accomplish. I have worked to balance our needs with our abilities, and I want to continue to move our community forward.

Town Council Candidates

David Schrumm, Republican First District Candidate

Like our state and nation, Cheshire faces very difficult challenges; most are financial in nature. We must deal with these issues in a conservative, common sense manner. Due diligence on every issue on a day-to-day basis while always keeping an eye to the future is the proper way to conduct one’s personal and business affairs. The same applies to government. During the election two years ago I made note of this comment from Winston Churchill: “Politics is not a game. It is an earnest business.”

Indeed it is. I offer in-depth knowledge of Cheshire’s municipal government and will continue to work hard to make our community safe, attractive, and affordable for all residents. Despite its frustrations, I still enjoy public service.

The current Council is the best group of people with whom I have ever served. I look forward to having the voters return the Republican team to the Council.

Thomas Ruocco, Republican Second District Candidate I will approach the next term with the same level of energy and drive that I have demonstrated since my election to the Council in 2005. I feel residents of my district are satisfied with the work I have done. I maintain regular contact with many constituents and I feel my voting record is in line with the voters.

Residents deserve a representative who advocates for them, works hard to solicit input, and keeps people informed.

I will continue these efforts as we move into the next term.

Andy Falvey, Republican Third District Candidate I have been working to help make Cheshire an even better place to live and raise a family. I want to continue to give back to the community that has given my family and myself so much.

In these difficult economic times, we need experienced, dedicated leaders who will tackle the hard issues without over burdening the local tax payer. Encouraging civic volunteerism, such as

Joe Schmitt, Democrat Third District Candidate I am running for Town Council because I believe that the Council is in need of some new energy and fresh ideas. For example, the current “fiscally responsible” administration apparently thinks that our hard earned tax dollars are better spent on $7 million pool roofs and hurried $30 million wastewater plant “upgrades” than on helping prepare our children to compete in the 21st Century. I respectfully disagree.

The current administration also does not seem to understand that quality schools equals higher property values.

Nobody buys a house in Cheshire because it has an indoor pool; they move here because they want good schools for their children. Cheshire currently ranks fourth from the bottom in school spending per pupil among its peer group and the incumbents promise more of the same if re-elected.

How long can we continue to devalue our greatest asset?

I believe that we should protect our schools and property values while also controlling taxes, and we can if we elect leaders willing to think deeper and work harder. It’s not a revenue problem, it’s an allocation problem. The time has come to start making better decisions on how we spend our money.

Stephen Carroll, Republican Fourth District Candidate The reason I am seeking re-election to the Town Council is two-fold. First, I care very much about the Town of Cheshire and, second, I think that my business and technology background adds value to that body. My wife Joan, a lifelong teacher (now retired), has also had a strong influence on my views and my values. Having lived in Cheshire for 30+ years and raised two sons here, I have experienced and enjoyed Cheshire from nearly every aspect.

As I have tried to instill in my children, I believe in service to community.

For most of my life I have volunteered in one endeavor or another – from coaching baseball to officiating swimming to volunteering for the Special Olympics to serving on the Board of Directors for Connecticut Swimming.

I hope to continue to serve Cheshire residents as your Fourth District Town Councilman for another two years.

Peter Talbot, Democrat Fourth District Candidate

ELECT

Sylvia Nichols Town Council At-large

Your common sense candidate Paid by The Committee to Elect Sylvia Nichols John C. Bollinger, Treasurer

As a lifelong resident of the fourth district I am seeking election to represent the people of Cheshire’s south end. I am concerned with the current Council majority’s lack of support for education and our children. It’s time we put partisan politics aside and focus on ideas and solutions that are what’s best for Cheshire. I have served on the Board of Education, Inland Wetlands, Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, and was recently named to the Town Technology Study Committee. I am committed to fiscal responsibility through controlled spending and conducting the town’s business in the public eye.

Sylvia Nichols, Republican Candidate At Large Since moving to Cheshire in 1964 I have been actively involved in community volunteer organizations and government committees, as well as the business community. Over 27 years, my business employed more than 100 full time and part time employees, of all ages. I believe that the experience gained by balancing budgets, supervising personnel, maintaining infrastructure, interacting with clients, solving problems, and weathering changing economic cycles will be a valuable asset to the Town Council. Though not quite a Cheshire “native,” I will bring the perspective of a long term Cheshire resident as the Council continues to face the fiscal challenges to keep our town one of the best 100 Places to live in the U.S.: for our children, our young families and our senior citizens.

Robert Behrer, Democrat Candidate At Large All Cheshire residents face challenges, especially our seniors. Recent discussions have focused on schools and capital spending projects, but I will not forget about our seniors and important issues such as realistic property tax relief and an equitable method to determine sewage use fees as two examples. My experiences on our Board of Education and Water Pollution Control Authority will be an asset to the Town Council decision making process, but my goal is to represent all our citizens.

Tim Slocum, Republican Candidate At Large I have lived and worked in town my whole life. I’ve been active in community service, including the Cheshire Land Trust, since 1982. I was elected to the PZC in 2003 and served there four years. In 2007, I was elected to Town Council. I have served as Town Council Chairman since 2009, a role I take seriously and one I think has reflected positively on Council operations over the last two years. I still enjoy elective office and give it my all. Ask my wife.

My only objective serving on the Council, unchanged since seeking election in 2007, is to effectively and fairly balance the needs of our community with taxpayers’ ability to fund those needs.

Dan Nowak, Democrat Candidate At Large The initial reason for my running is, 10 months ago, several people, both Democrats and Republicans, asked me to run for Town Council because of my sports background. They feel with all the sports and recreational issues facing the town, it was important that at least one Town Council member had an extensive sports background. I guess 32plus years experience as a sportswriter

– first with the Boston Globe, then the Associated Press and the past 27 years with the New Haven Register – gives me that extensive sports background.

I am running because of the passion I have for the Town of Cheshire, the passion I have for the people who live here, and the opportunity to focus on all the issues that will affect my children and all of us in Cheshire now and in the next 20 to 40 years.

James Sima, Republican Candidate At Large I am running for re-election to Cheshire’s Town Council because I still remain motivated to bring a fair, balanced, and transparent approach to town government. Throughout the past four years, I have remained consistent to my conservative values. I’ve worked hard to keep Cheshire a great place to raise our families, educate our kids, and remain a welcoming community to all ages. I bring a unique perspective to the Council as a local business owner, engineer, and father of schoolaged children. Cheshire will face difficult challenges over the next two years, with a poor economy in the state and country. I will stay committed to controlling spending and maintaining a fair tax rate, without pushing the burden to future generations. I pledge to work hard and put in the extra effort to keep Cheshire a great place to live.

Patti Flynn-Harris, Democrat Candidate At Large

I was appointed this past December to fulfill Justin Adinolfi’s term and, although I would rather be serving with him, I’m running for the Town Council to make the seat my own. My experience on Planning & Zoning gave me a foundation for the workings of Cheshire’s government and I believe I bring to the Council the same assets I brought to the PZC – the ability to listen to constituents and make decisions based on facts and not emotions. I believe that it is important for the Town Council to maintain a balance of the needs of all the residents and, as hard as it maybe in these economic times, I believe I am up to the challenge. I was raised with a core belief that we have a responsibility to give back to the community whenever we can. I’m glad that I have the time and ability to do so because, as great a community as Cheshire is, we can always make it better.

Mike O’Donnell, Republican Candidate At Large As a lifelong resident of Cheshire, I am running for Town Council to give back to a community that has been so good to me and my family for years. I want to work for all of the residents of Cheshire. I would work to keep services at their current levels while minimizing tax increases. With both of my sons in Cheshire schools and my parents still living in town, I will do my best to look out for everyone’s best interest, regardless of age or income level. In these tough economic times with many people having a hard time making ends meet, the Town Council needs to look for new ways to keep Cheshire affordable for all residents, while maintaining services. My goal is to implement these ideas on the Town Council.

Michael Ecke, Democrat Candidate At Large It has been an honor and pleasure to serve on the Cheshire Town Council.

Since I have been on the Council, I have had the opportunity to work with a cross section of our residents and I have always been impressed with their dedication and desire to work hard to make Cheshire a great place to live. It is from them that I get the inspiration to continue my service on the Council. With your help, I hope to use my experience of 10 years on the Budget Committee, and my ability to build consensus, to help Cheshire deal with these difficult times. In the next two years, I will lead the Council to “think out of the box” to find solutions to the challenges that we face and I assure you I will work hard to meet those challenges and keep Cheshire a great place to live and raise a family.

James McKenney, Democrat Candidate At Large

I am running for the Cheshire Town Council because of my dissatisfaction with the direction the Town seems to be heading. The Cheshire pool is a gigantic disaster. The main reason that the bubble was used instead of a roof was the Council’s perception that the voters would never pass a referendum item over $3 million. This was a very shortsighted approach: pennywise but pound foolish.

The most recent $7 million roof proposal was overly expensive and clearly not what the residents wanted. The Council doesn’t seem to understand what the residents want.

The current $30 million referendum item is not in the community’s best interest. The Council is aware of a $7.5 million mistake in this project and yet they still endorsed it.

The recent minimal rises in the Grand List will surely bring problems in the near future. I believe we need people looking to prepare Cheshire for the next 40 years not the next two.

Board Of Ed. Candidates Cathy Hellreich Democrat

I strongly believe in public education and that a good school system strengthens our town. When I first served on the Board of Education, I felt that, with my background, I could make an impact on students and their families in Cheshire. I still believe that today. I spent 23 years advocating for my children as they progressed through Cheshire’s public schools. I would like to spend the next four years advocating for today’s children of Cheshire.

Gerry Brittingham Republican

I am seeking re-election to the BOE because, while much has been accomplished by this BOE, the job is not done.

We (as a Board) have held steady in the face of extremely difficult fiscal times for all. Frankly, it is not possible for me as one member or as chair to take credit continued to page 3

The Cheshire herald, OCTOBER 27, 2011

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Election 2011 Voters Will Decide Two Referendum Questions On Election Day

by Josh Morgan Herald Staff Voters will step into the booth on Election Day and decide races for Town Council, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning, and other boards and commissions.

Voters will also hold the fate of two future projects in their hands on Nov. 8. At the top of each ballot, above the races for Town Council and BOE, the two refer-

endum questions appear. Projects need voter approval when the appropriation, or combined appropriations, exceed $350,000. Dating back to 2007, 23 referendum questions have been asked in November, for a total of $15.43 million. Of those projects, 21 were passed. There was also a special referendum held in the summer of 2010 for the $7 million pool enclosure, which was voted down.

This year, there are only two

projects on the ballot because of the sluggish economy, but most noticeably includes the largest single ticket item in the town's history.

The first question is for a $1.5 million appropriation for road repairs in town. Road questions appear nearly every year on the ballot, as Town staff and professional consultants have recommended a continuous maintenance plan on the miles of paved roads in

Reasons Continued... continued from page 2 for the actions of the entire BOE or the co-operative spirit that exists between the BOE, the administration, and the unions. It is, however, because of this spirit that so much has been accomplished in keeping the standards and educational results so high. It is more than the action of a member, it is the determination of our parents, students, and staff that equate with our results.

As a member and as chair, I have kept my eyes on those factors and our goals. I have always made my decisions based on the facts, needs, benefits, and long term results of any proposed course of action. I have not let party affiliation, personal feelings, or any other undo consideration affect my decisions.

When I ask the citizens of Cheshire for a job and take an oath, it is a bond, a

commitment that transcends any other concerns.

Marlena Soble Democrat

Cheshire's most valuable asset is its school system. I think that I can advocate for the Board of Education and negotiate with other board members and the Town Council to help ensure that Cheshire's schools continue to be appreciated as a great asset to all of Cheshire. I am an attorney here in Cheshire, and I have two daughters at Highland School. I'm running because I want to advocate for what's best for all of Cheshire's residents as well as what's best for all of our kids: a strong, vibrant, successful school system. People move to Cheshire because of the schools, and there is a direct link between property values and the quality of the schools.

If the quality of our schools is allowed to diminish, Cheshire's most valuable asset could become its greatest liability.

Tod Dixon Republican

My family moved to Cheshire 28 years ago because of the school system.

Both my children received an excellent education and have been successful in their higher education efforts. My family has received a great deal from Cheshire and I feel a great sense of satisfaction from being able to contribute and return something to the town.

I have served on many Town boards and commissions and several terms on the Board of Education, and I intend to continue this service, if not with service on the Board of Education. I know there are many other opportunities for continued to page 9

Cheshire. The money will be used to repave roads and also repair streets with certain measures, like chip sealing. Town staff and the Town Council will help determine which roads will be paved by using a previously completed Pavement Management Study.

The second question is the largest appropriation ever sought by the Town. The $30 million referendum is for upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The work to be completed includes replacing old, outdated equipment with new, more efficient, technology. The upgrade also includes a new phase of treatment which aims to element more phospho-

rus from the effluent. This is a mandate from the state. However, state funding remains in limbo, as reimbursement language is noticeably absent from the contract that the Town signed with the Department of Correction more than 20 years ago.

Staff and Councilors have commented that, if the project is approved, money would not be borrowed for a couple of years.

Some running for office have opposed the treatment plant project because of the uncertainty of state funding. Comments from the Council candidates on the item can be found throughout this section.

ELECT

Sylvia Nichols Town Council At-large

Responsible Results with Respect Paid by The Committee to Elect Sylvia Nichols John C. Bollinger, Treasurer

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“We think Cheshire is special too and we are committed to keeping it that way.” 

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COMMON SENSE LEADERSHIP FOR CHALLENGING TIMES Vote for the REPUBLICAN Team on November 8th 

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The Cheshire herald, OCTOBER 27, 2011

Election 2011 Candidates Running For Cheshire Town Council Candidiates For Cheshire Town Council were asked to respond to the following three questions: 1.) The upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant are expected to cost in the neighborhood of $30 million, yet it’s unclear at this moment how much, if any, of that cost will be offset through grants or state aid. Given that, should the Town wait to move ahead with the project? 2.) The Town’s Grand List has increased ever so slightly over the last few years. What do you believe should be done to increase the taxable base with new businesses, and how can you ensure that those businesses remain in Cheshire for the long-term? 3.) Outside of budgetary concerns, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing Cheshire over the next Council term and how do you plan to address it?

First District David Schrumm, Republican Commission, Charter Revision Commission, among others.

Age — 62 Education— B.A. History and Economics from Tufts University Occupation — Mergers and acquisitions at regional insurance agency.

Family — Wife Sally Baker Schrumm; three children, Rebecca, Jeffrey, and Katey Relevant experience: Town Council (16 years), Economic Development

1.) We should not wait. Despite the current funding uncertainty, I believe state aid will eventually be forthcoming. This project will not be bid until early summer 2012 and will take several years to complete. We will not borrow $30 million all at once but only as needed as the project progresses. There will be plenty of time to factor in state aid. Another reason to move ahead is that, in the current depressed construction industry, we will get very competitive bids (we already have on other Town projects). In addition, we have an excellent bond rating and interest rates remain at historic lows. By moving forward now, we will be able to get lowinterest financing on a competitively priced project. Waiting would not be wise. This project has been in the planning stages for several years. The cur-

rent Council set aside over $4 million in a debt service relief fund to smooth out the increased financing costs over the next 20 years. Proper planning, favorable bond interest rates, and a competitive construction environment have all come together to make this essential project doable.

2.) It will be very difficult to overcome the generally anti-business climate that has developed over the last several decades in Connecticut. But, at the local level, we can compensate for this somewhat by a) keeping taxes reasonable, b) maintaining municipal services and c) continuing the existing tax abatement program for new or expanding businesses. As welcome as appropriate development would be in the north end, we cannot rely on some major development to pay all our future taxes. We should concentrate on keeping our small to medium businesses along Rt. 10 and West Main Street vi-

able through creative action like the West Main streetscape project. This project, coupled with the completed Rail Trail/Linear Park will give a boost to businesses in this area. I would like to see some creative thinking in Town Center as well. Some new development is underway there and I think other such projects could give incremental increases in the Grand List that we certainly need. However, 89% of Cheshire is zoned residential and most of the remaining 11% has been developed. The bulk of local taxes will always be paid

by Cheshire homeowners. We have to keep them in mind when we prepare town budgets.

3.) Like Connecticut, the demographics of this town are slowly changing. As a community we are getting older: no surprise there! The big challenge is twofold: to remain affordable and attractive as a community for young people but at the same time maintaining a commu-

nity where empty nesters want to, and can afford to, live. We have to maintain a strong, academically oriented school system. We need parks, open space and other recreational facilities. We also need to keep cultural services like Arts place and the Library thriving. But on another level, we need more volunteers to work with community groups like the service clubs, Friends of Boulder Knoll, faith based organizations and the Land Trust. In many ways, it is these groups, not only municipal government, that have made Cheshire the attractive community that it has always been. I will continue to foster a close working relationship between non-profits and the Town to engage individuals of all ages in community improvement. I will also continue to seek talented people for our many boards and commissions so that they can broaden their horizons concerning government and offer their talents to their fellow citizens.

Second District Tom Ruocco, Republican Production, Paier College of Art Occupation— Proposal Management, Cigna Healthcare Family — Married, two daughters.

Relevant experience— Chairman, Personnel Committee; Budget Committee Member since 2007; Served on Governor’s Commission on Un-Funded Mandates - 2006.

Age — 51 Education— B.S. Marketing, Ball State University, Certificate, Graphic

1.) The state is never really clear on the amount of funding they will provide for any initiative. State funding arrangements are often underfunded; it is not surprising that funding for the waste water plant be limited. The process of negotiating with state officials takes

time and may not prove fruitful. In the meantime, the project needs to move forward. The condition of the plant, and the age of the plant requires attention and a major investment. Waiting for state funding could delay the project for too long. As a town, we can take charge of our priorities even if the state is not on board with us.

2.) The Town’s tax abatement program has worked well and is structured in such a way that new tenants can retain tax savings for as long as they remain in town for a specified time period.

Continued tight fiscal management and keeping taxes as low as possible is also business friendly. Prevailing economic

circumstances continue to put a damper on business growth, especially small business, so the pool of potential new businesses or expanding businesses is sparse. The Town needs to remain flexible in our approach to tax abatements and project a business friendly atmosphere at all times. I also think that we would be well served to meet with our state delegation and continue to lobby for better laws at the state level, such as corporate tax reform and changes to the conveyance tax that would save money for new businesses.

3.) It seems like everything eventually falls back on the budget. It would be impossible to answer this question as

the budget is always the most important issue if you have a fiscal conscience. In a greater sense, however, I would not respond based on challenges for the Council. Instead I would ask, what are the biggest challenges for residents and taxpayers?

Seniors are challenged to cover the cost of medications and stay in their homes. Parents work hard to meet tuition payments and our young people have hopes of starting a career.

The economy will continue to make these challenges very difficult. Council must legislate from the standpoint of residents and respect the value of a dollar.

Third District Joe Schmitt, Democrat Relevant experience— 20+ years practicing commercial and environmental law, local small business owner.

Age — 46 Education— B.A., Virginia Tech and J.D., with Distinction, Hofstra Law School Occupation— Attorney (currently Senior Counsel with The Travelers Companies) and local small business owner (principal of Cheshire-based commercial property management and development company) Family — Wife Geralyn, daughters Katie and Maggie

1.) The citizens of Cheshire should vote "no" with regard to the current administration's request for authorization to spend $30 million on "upgrades" to the wastewater treatment plant for three reasons.

First, given that the State has not yet agreed to contribute any money to the project, a "yes" vote virtually ensures that the State will never do so. If we announce that we are willing to spend $30 million of our own money on the project before securing a commitment from the State, why would the State thereafter agree to take some of that obligation off our hands, especially in these tough economic times.

Second, no one even knows if $30 million is the proper number because the plans have not been finalized. What if it costs more? Suppose it could be done for less. We all know what happens when you simply give the govern-

ment a pile of money – they spend it all, even if they didn't need to.

Third, the current plan calls for no increase in capacity. What happens when the economy improves and we are able to entice new businesses to Cheshire?

Lastly, what's the rush? We need to do what needs to be done, but only for the right price and not until after we have resolved these other important issues.

2.) As a small business owner and commercial landlord in Cheshire I understand the issues facing local businesses. Smart commercial growth is a key to keeping our residential taxes under control. As a result, we can, and should, offer reasonable incentives to businesses willing to relocate to Cheshire or expand their existing businesses here. Promoting new construction is important because improved commercial property continues to contribute to our tax base even after a change in ownership or the relocation of a business.

Having said that, we do need to be

careful that the benefits of any proposed commercial development are not outweighed by any adverse impacts in other areas, such as increased traffic. That is why the proposed project in the north end of town would be ideal because it would increase our tax base while largely confining the increased traffic to the edge of town.

3.) The single biggest issue facing Cheshire over the next two years is whether we will continue to accept the same tired ideas and uninspired leadership we have received for the past two years or are we willing to embark on a new path and elect people willing and able to do the deep thinking and hard work necessary to build a better Cheshire. I believe our leaders must stop settling for simplistic “quick fixes”

and instead seek real, long term and cost-effective solutions to the issues facing Cheshire. I also suggest that the best way to accomplish this is not by raising taxes but by properly allocating the resources we already have.

Making good decisions and holding the line on taxes are not mutually exclusive. The best way to control spending is to spend wisely. Tough times call for creative solutions and unfortunately the current majority has failed to adequately respond to the challenges we face.

As an attorney and local small business owner, I understand how to creatively plan for the future, how to budget, and most importantly, how to do what needs to be done while staying within the budget. We need to elect leaders willing and able to do the same.

Editor’s Note: David Schrumm is running unopposed in the First District. Democrat Matt Bowman, who is running for the Second District seat, did not respond to questions. Democrats John Kardaras and Lou Todisco, and Republican Leslie Marinaro, who are running for Planning and Zoning Commission, also did not respond.

The Cheshire herald, OCTOBER 27, 2011

Five

Election 2011 Candidates Running For Cheshire Town Council Candidiates For Cheshire Town Council were asked to respond to the following three questions: 1.) The upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant are expected to cost in the neighborhood of $30 million, yet it’s unclear at this moment how much, if any, of that cost will be offset through grants or state aide. Given that, should the town wait to move ahead with the project? 2.) The Town’s Grand List has increased ever so slightly over the last few years. What do you believe should be done to increase the taxable base with new businesses, and how can you ensure that those businesses remain in Cheshire for the long-term? 3.) Outside of budgetary concerns, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing Cheshire over the next Council term and how do you plan to address it?

Third District

Fourth District

Andy Falvey, Republican

Peter Talbot, Democrat

Age — 50 Education— B.A., Political Science, UConn Occupation — Distribution Channel Manager, Aplifi, Inc. Family — Wife Patricia, three children, Erin, Joe, Katie Relevant experience: Cheshire Town Council 2009 to present; Cheshire Board of Education 1997 – 2005; Appointments to various committees.

1.) No, the town should not wait.

The cost of the construction for the upgrades will only increase in the future.

In order to get competitive bids for the work, the Town must be committed to

the entire project. If we break this into smaller projects and hope for additional funding vehicles in the future, the piece meal approach would increase costs.

The wastewater plant needs to run efficiently and effectively 24/7, all year, no exceptions. With unfunded mandates by the state and federal governments regarding discharges into Long Island Sound, we are obligated to make improvements. The WPCA has done a very good job of reviewing the issues, alternatives and contingencies, and have presented a solid plan to address the needs of the town for the future. We continue to look for alternative funding reimbursements and should not derail this needed project.

2.) While land use and zoning issues are the responsibility of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Cheshire can attract new business enterprises by investing in the physical infrastructure of our roads and bridges, and work cooperatively with utility companies and technology companies to make available low cost and efficient means for transacting business, such as high speed cable and fiber optic lines, a solid electric transmission infrastructure. Additionally, by keeping the property tax

mill rate low, we provide a lower cost alternative for companies looking to locate or expand their operations.

3.) Long term planning for our infrastructure. Roads and bridges, as well as buildings, continue to age. We as a town dodged a bullet by getting an insurance claim paid that will fund the pool bubble. This gives us time to properly plan for the future of that structure. It would be a shame to close that facility eight months of the year after all that has already been invested. The same can be said of the playing fields at the high school. If Cheshire had properly managed that part of the infrastructure, we would have never had the conversations and issues that we have dealt with for the past few years.

Long term maintenance and replacement of natural grass is comparable to artificial turf, there is an even trade off over time. Technology issues must also be properly addressed. We need to plan on how best to manage what we have across town, and how to best plan for the future.

Proper long term planning is much less costly than last minute, knee jerk reactions to issues that we know need to be addressed.

Fourth District Steve Carroll, Republican

Age — 59 Education— B.S., Applied Science, Miami University; MBA, University of Connecticut Occupation — IT Director, MBI, Inc. Family — Wife Joan, two children, Justin, Brendan Relevant experience: Town Council, 2003-2005, 2010 to present; Technology Study Group, Chairman, 2011; Ordinance Review Committee, 20032005, 2011 (Chairman).

1.) I would have preferred to see an incremental approach to the plant upgrade, spread over a longer period of time. As presented, the WPCA has recommended a complete plant upgrade to be done over a period of two to three years. However, the $30 million price tag will create significant budgetary hardships for years to come, causing debt service to rise and putting additional pressure on what is already a very tight operating budget. While the WPCA presented a well founded case for the need to upgrade the plant, they

failed to make a convincing argument as to why it has to be now and why it has to be an all or nothing deal. Included in the upgrade is a new phosphorous treatment component for which it is still unclear what levels of treatment will ultimately be required and, therefore, warrants a more cautious approach before committing millions of dollars to this relatively new and unknown component. The WPCA did a very careful and thorough review as they considered the cost of this upgrade, but without a financial commitment from the state - who is the biggest single user of the sewer treatment plant - this project should be deferred for another year.

2.) There is no simple solution here, particularly in this difficult economic environment, but I think the key is diversification. While it is nice to have large businesses, it is exceedingly difficult to replace them when they leave - as in the case with Pratt and Whitney.

Consequently, we need to focus on smaller businesses in a variety of commercial sectors. We should continue to offer competitive economic incentives, both for businesses that are considering moving to Cheshire as well as those already in Cheshire and looking to expand. Many companies look for not only a community to work in but a community to live in. As such, we need to continue to maintain the quality of services, including a strong education system which is among the best in the state. We should also seek out new ways to “advertise” the benefits of living and working in Cheshire to attract new businesses. In this regard, we should

be looking at trade publications, business newsletters, electronic media, and other more modern means to reach out to potential new businesses. Electing state representatives who understand the need to attract and retain business and jobs in Connecticut is essential.

3.) An aging technology infrastructure poses a significant threat to virtually every town service, including police, fire, education, finance, and recreational services. Cheshire’s network is both large and complicated, with a value easily in excess of $1 million dollars. Over the next two years we need to undertake a comprehensive review our entire network infrastructure, identify key areas of weakness, and implement new hardware and software that will insure the reliability, security, and flexibility necessary to support all of our current and foreseeable needs. As importantly, we need to re-think how the Town’s technology needs are managed and funded. The lack of a central authority or unified oversight has led to an incongruous network that is, in some areas, seriously deficient. Rather than having many small pieces of our technology resources scattered throughout many departments, management of these resources needs to be centralized under a single department. This department would have the sole responsibility for the management of our technology infrastructure, including the security and reliability of our network, needed to provide town employees with the tools necessary to do their jobs and to provide residents with a level of service that meets their expectations.

Age — 55 Education— Ithaca College Family — Wife Carol, two children, Lauren, Lindsay Occupation — Government Affairs Manager, Cox Communications Relevant experience: Cheshire Board of Education 2010 to present; Cheshire Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission 2010; Cheshire Chamber of Commerce President 2006-2007; Board of Directors 2003-2009, 2011.

1.) Yes, the town should wait on this project. There is uncertainty not only with the state aid but also with the standards for the phosphorous effluent the plant should produce. If the taxpayers of Cheshire approve this appropriation, there is no incentive for the State to provide any grant money for this project.

Until we know the status of that funding, it would not be prudent to move forward.

2.) In the current economic climate it will be very difficult to grow the Grand List. Through Cheshire’s Department of Economic Development, we already have incentives in place to attract new businesses into town as well as incenting existing companies to grow and expand. The current Town Council renewed those incentives this year and they remain in effect until 2014. We should, however, continue to investigate new and innovative ways to create an environment that promotes Cheshire as “business friendly.”

3.) It is difficult to come up with any issue that does not ultimately have a budget impact. One of my top concerns is the education department in Cheshire. We continue to lag far behind in per pupil spending (currently 136 out of 166 CT school districts and 18 out of 21 in our peer group). While our test scores place us above state average, we will be hard pressed to maintain that status under the current funding trend to our schools. We must look to progress, especially in the area of technology, if we are to maintain and improve on our rankings. Our school system has a direct impact on our property values and should be a priority for all Cheshire residents, whether or not they have school age children.

At Large Bob Behrer, Democrat

Age — 62 Education— Kent State University, Class of ‘72 Occupation — Vice President, Koster Keunen, LLC, a refiner and blender of natural and specialty waxes for industry Family — Married with 3 grown children and 4 grand children Relevant experience: Chair of the Alumni Turf Field Project; Board of Education from ’05 to ’09; Water Pollution Control Authority (Chair ’03 – ’04).

1.) As a past member and WPCA Chairman, I cannot support the $30 million referendum. First, it mixes necessary maintenance that should have been completed earlier with a governmental compliance project to limit phosphorus discharge without knowing the limits and removal method.

State funding totaling $7 million is also in jeopardy because a poorly written contract in the early 1990’s omitted a key section that required the state jail

system to pay its fair share for upgrades and repairs, which all other towns with jails had in their contracts.

Without the states $7 million contribution, the project will cost more and taxes will be higher. The original funding would increase taxes on the average home about $380 per year and without the $7 million contribution each homeowner will pay even more. Either scenario is hard to accept.

Second, the proposed $30 million project does not add any capacity at our sewage plant. Do Republicans believe our town will not grow or that existing homeowners will not choose to hook up at some time in the future? Planning for zero expansion is a sad forecast for Cheshire’s future. We must do better.

Read the minutes on the Town website and decide for yourself.

2.) The Grand List or tax base is a serious issue and hard to regulate. I work for a small business in Watertown. We have 50 employees and want to grow.

I understand the difficulty businesses deal with on a daily basis. Local agencies and regulations can be complicated. Taxes for business must be fair and related to services consumed and not by the ability to pay. It is difficult to balance: everyone wants a cash cow to move into town, but forgets a company can also leave our town.

Cheshire homeowners will profit by a fair and equitable business climate that attracts and retains business rather than holds them at arm’s length. I unSee BEHRER, page 12

The Cheshire herald, OCTOBER 27, 2011

Six

Election 2011 Candidates Running For Cheshire Town Council Candidiates For Cheshire Town Council were asked to respond to the following three questions: 1.) The upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant are expected to cost in the neighborhood of $30 million, yet it’s unclear at this moment how much, if any, of that cost will be offset through grants or state aid. Given that, should the Town wait to move ahead with the project? 2.) The Town’s Grand List has increased ever so slightly over the last few years. What do you believe should be done to increase the taxable base with new businesses, and how can you ensure that those businesses remain in Cheshire for the long-term? 3.) Outside of budgetary concerns, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing Cheshire over the next Council term and how do you plan to address it?

At Large

At Large

James Sima, Republican

James McKenney, Democrat

Occupation — Sima Drilling Co. Family — Wife Jackie, children, Jamie, Jean, Jessica, Judy and Julie Relevant experience — Cheshire Town Council 2007-2011; Cheshire Board of Education 1999-2007; Cheshire Housing Authority 1997-1999.

Age — 50 Education— B.S. Mechanical Engineering 1984, from Michigan Technological University

1.) We could wait, however the sewer treatment plant has been operating at or near maximum capacity for several years, pushing equipment and buildings to their stress points. If you remember, two years ago one of the roofs covering the digesters broke and partially caved in due to fatigue. Under the roof lies a pocket of methane gas which, at that point, could have easily caused a fire or explosion. If that or other catastrophes

were to happen now or in the future, we would not have the luxury of a great competitive bidding environment and extremely low bond rates to finance the work. In the end delaying this project would cost the town much more money.

In regards to the State’s rejection of the Town’s first request for grants or aid to help fund this project, it is not a final outcome the Town is willing to accept. We are currently working with the State, OPM, and Legislature to achieve a fair agreement where the Town and state each pay their fair share of the costs. I believe we have a very strong case to receive funding to cover the prison’s share of the plant upgrades.

See SIMA, page 11

At Large Dan Nowak, Democrat Joey, Amanda, Samantha Relevant experience: New Haven Register sports department media liaison during the 1995 Special Olympics World Games in New Haven.

Age — 56 Education— B.S. Journalism, Northeastern, 1982 Occupation — Sportswriter, New Haven Register, since 1984 Family — Wife Vanessa, children,

1.) The wastewater treatment plant issue needs to be addressed. The problem: questions need to be answered before we go ahead with this project.

It’s apparent $7.5 million in state aid expected to offset the cost won’t be available. If the referendum is passed for the $30 million price tag to upgrade the plant, the state, which has its own finance issues, could say our funding is fully appropriated. Whatever state aid or grants are out there could slip away.

There is the issue of removing phosphorous that could lead to aid from the DEP. But, in the Aug. 16th Town Coun-

cil minutes, it was noted that removing phosphorous involves new technology.

It’s unclear what direction to take when removing the phosphorous.

The bottom line is there are parts/ equipment that are 20-40 years old, which need to be upgraded/replaced.

Inflow and infiltration needs to be addressed. Doesn’t it make sense to address those most pressing issues first to maintain the integrity of the plant at a lower Phase I cost? Over the course of that initial upgrade phase, we can do better research on how to deal with phosphorous removal for phase two and then appropriate money for that phase.

2.) In this economic climate, increasing new businesses in Cheshire begins with the collaboration of local government, businesses, and education. We See NOWAK, page 11

DAN NOWAK FOR AT-LARGE TOWN COUNCIL A CANDIDATE WHO THINKS OUTSIDE THE BOX TO FIND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

Age — 64 Education— B.S. School of Education University of Connecticut 1970, M.A. School of Education University of Connecticut 1973, and a 6th year School of Education University of Connecticut 1980 Occupation — Retired Cheshire Teacher; Real Estate Investor and Builder Family — Wife Patricia, children, David, Shannon Relevant experience — Elected Town Council 1977 and 1979; Economic Development Commission 1975; Cheshire Public Building Commission, more than 20 years as chairman.

1.) The voters of Cheshire should reject the Waste Water Treatment plant expenditure of $30 million November 8. If the voters approve this referendum item, it will cost them $7.5 million more than it should. All other towns in similar positions have wording in their contracts with the State of Connecticut that Cheshire does not have. This was an error on the part of someone representing Cheshire. Our officials have tried to convince the State to pay $7.5 mil-

Tim Slocum, Republican

COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Create a Town CouncilEDUCATION: Spend wisely but also make sure schools

have the funding to succeed, especially in upgrading technology making students competitive worldwide.

WATER TREATMENT PLANT: Upgrade needed as parts/equipment 20-40 yrs old must be replaced. But do more precise investigation to see what else is really needed.

Find out more about Nowak at

www.Elect-Dan-Nowak.com

Give Democrats 15 minutes on Election Day, weʼll give you 2 years of better government

Paid for by the Committee to elect dan Nowak, alyson Bowman - Treasurer. dan Nowak approves this message.

See MCKENNEY, page 11

At Large

ISSUES: Renovate lockerrooms at CHS, use creative thinking to maximize use of town pool/Mixville Park to create new revenue, make dog park a reality, maximize use of skateboard park. based website offering Council member blogs, chat lines with the community, and online polls.

lion (its share of the sewer expansion because of the prison) but to no avail.

It’s believed that with more pressure on the State they will ultimately see the fairness in picking up their share. That may or may not be true. If voters approve this referendum item now, they are giving up all leverage with the State and very likely paying that extra $7.5 million. I have been urging the voters that I talk with to defeat this referendum item, until our town officials get in writing, a commitment from the State to treat our town as it does others. The State needs to pay its share first.

2.) The growth of the Grand List is absolutely essential to ensure that a town can maintain or improve the level of services it provides to its residents.

Residential growth is definitely not the solution. The residential taxpayer uses more than a dollar for every dollar of taxes they pay while business and industry use considerably less than a dollar for every dollar raised in taxes.

The solution is to attract more business and industry. The more business and industry grow, the less tax burden is placed on the individual residential taxpayer.

We, as a community, need to be even more active than ever before, offering tax incentives for new construction and additions to existing businesses. New construction adds to our tax base for the life of the building, no matter who owns that building. In return, the town would have some guarantee of a reasonable period of longevity.

To insure that businesses remain in Cheshire, we need to continue and grow as a business friendly community.

Age — 56 Education— B.A. Economics, University of Connecticut Occupation — Owner, HFM Interiors, LLC. Home Fabrics Family — Wife Kristen, four children, one grandchild Relevant experience: Cheshire Planning and Zoning Commission, 2003 – 2007; Town Council, 2007 - 2009 Chairman 2009 - 2011.

1.) Wastewater treatment is not some glamorous want, it is a public and health safety need that we are obligated to maintain. Whether you are on a sep-

tic system or connected to a residential sewer or your kids are in one of our classrooms all waste is processed at this aging plant. Despite the Town’s best efforts all good things can be tweaked and band-aided so long. Voters approved $1.5 million for a plant redesign two years ago. Unfunded mandates from the Federal and State governments dictate a new and expensive requirement to treat phosphorous adding to the plant’s cost. If the voters reject the upgrade, the plant will continue to age and its failure will come in one form or another. With untreated sewage, the state will issue a consent order and the Town will be ordered to embark on an upgrade and go out to bid on an “emergency” footing. The weak economy presents cost saving opportunities right now. We can wait but that is unwise, in my opinion. I believe we will get an agreement from the state to help support the plant upgrade. They have done so historically and the prison system is using nearly 25 percent of capacity and they must pay their fair share. The state also wants to expand operations at the prison in the See SLOCUM, page 12

The Cheshire herald, OCTOBER 27, 2011

Seven

Election 2011

Candidates Running For Cheshire Town Council Candidiates For Cheshire Town Council were asked to respond to the following three questions: 1.) The upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant are expected to cost in the neighborhood of $30 million, yet it’s unclear at this moment how much, if any, of that cost will be offset through grants or state aid. Given that, should the Town wait to move ahead with the project? 2.) The Town’s Grand List has increased ever so slightly over the last few years. What do you believe should be done to increase the taxable base with new businesses, and how can you ensure that those businesses remain in Cheshire for the long-term? 3.) Outside of budgetary concerns, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing Cheshire over the next Council term and how do you plan to address it?

At Large

At Large

Patti Flynn-Harris, Democrat

Michael Ecke, Democrat

Age — 60 Education— St. Joseph College West Hartford Occupation — Field Service Manager for NEC Corporation of America Family — Husband John, step-son, Zachary, grandsons, Ethan and Eli Relevant experience: Cheshire Planning and Zoning Commission 11 years, with one term as Chair; Friends of the Cheshire Public Library; League of Women Voters of Cheshire.

1.) The wastewater treatment plant has equipment that is over 40 years old, so it is understandable that it is in need of a major upgrade. However, the Town is responsible for the WPCA’s debt service. For that reason, the Town Council has the responsibility of making sure we are asking the residents of Cheshire to approve a referendum that will not incur more debt than we require to keep the plant in working con-

dition, to meet environmental requirements, and fulfill our capacity needs.

And we have the responsibility to make sure that the WPCA’s practices are the same as other departments when there are large projects - going out to bid on all projects. This debt service will be with us for many, many years and will affect future bonding for other vital services. I do not want future councils to point to this item in the budget and say we can’t afford increases in other areas, such as the Board of Education or the maintenance of our public buildings, because our debt is too high. We have to make sure we are bonding for what is needed – not what is wished for.

2.) Our Economic Development Coordinator and Commission continue to work hard to attract new businesses, and retain existing companies in Cheshire.

Cheshire is a desirable place for businesses to be situated. But, the economic recovery we all hoped for is slower than anticipated. And businesses all over the region and nation have had to take steps to make sure they are maintaining and surviving. We can’t “ensure” that a business will stay in Cheshire for the long term. Economic forces will determine whether they will grow, survive or depart. The Town Council has to work, as it does today, to be a good business partner but maintaining the variety of life that makes Cheshire special.

Cheshire did not receive national recognition as a good town to live in merely See FLYNN-HARRIS, page 12

At Large

Age — 49 Education — M.B.A. Accounting/ finance from the University of Connecticut, B.S. Economics from Norwich University, Cheshire High School graduate Occupation — Controller of the Suzio/York Hill Companies Family — Children, John Caroline, Jacob Relevant experience —Cheshire Town Council, Cheshire Housing Authority, Cheshire Youth Football, Cheshire Youth Baseball, Waterbury Area YMCA (director).

1.) This is a large project that will have long-term implications for Cheshire. I think that it is very important that the community understand that this project has two components.

One is an upgrade of the mechanicals of the existing plant and the other is

Age — 45 Education— Cheshire Schools, Cheshire High School class of 1984 Occupation — Private Investigator Family — Wife Kate, children, Joey and Patrick Relevant experience — Park and Recreation Commission; Town Beautification Committee.

1.) I would like to see the town wait at least one year before going forward with the upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant. There are too many uncertainties with the project at this time.

We are unsure of any funding from the state for the prison for their fair share of the project or Clean Water Fund money and low interest loan. Also, with no clear direction on the best way to remove phosphorous, whether mechanical or chemical, and what level we need to be at in the future. With that said, I

See O’DONNELL, page 12

improve. We need to be sure that the infrastructure is in place to attract new growth. This means that we have quality roads, wastewater treatment plant capacity, and flexible zoning in place to make Cheshire attractive. We must also welcome sensible new growth with open arms and not give the appearance that Cheshire is closed for business.

3.) It is very hard to separate any issue in town from budgetary concerns.

I think that the next council’s biggest challenge will be to keep Cheshire the great community that it is. Cheshire is great because of the quality of our schools, because of our outstanding parks and recreation department, because of the quality of police officers and firemen, because of athletic programs, because of programs for senior citizens, the list goes on.

The next Council will have to find new and creative ways to keep these programs and departments effective and efficient given the reduction in State aid. It will require thinking out of the box and having a “can do” and not a “can’t do” attitude. It will mean being open to new suggestions and working together as a team and not taking pride in delaying or stopping new projects or ideas.

The next Council needs to embrace change that will strengthen the community and not only embrace the agenda of its leaders.

At Large Sylvia Nichols, Republican

Michael O’Donnell, Republican believe we should wait to get answers on the funding and a clearer direction from DEP on phosphorous treatment so that we can do the project once and not have to come back to the taxpayers and ask for more money.

2.) We need to continue to market Cheshire as a business friendly town.

We need to show a commitment to keeping our financial house in order and maintain a low mill rate. We need to encourage small business growth with an emphasis on local owners who will grow with the town and will look to keep their business roots in Cheshire.

One idea I would offer is starting a new business expo, where prospective business owners could meet with the Town staff and other local business owners to share their experiences regarding opening a business in Cheshire. To maintain our current businesses in town, we need to continue to keep our mill rate as low as possible. We also need to be proactive in speaking with local business owners to find out what concerns they have, what we can do as a town to keep them here, and what we can do to help them grow. I suggest an annual local survey of business owners, perhaps in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, to gather this information.

As town residents, we can help maintain our local businesses by shopping in town and using local business services whenever possible.

to put in place a system to remove the phosphorus for the plant’s discharge. It doesn’t, as some people think, increase the capacity of the plant. The plan was put together with the thought that the State would be paying for a portion of the project. It is still not known if the State will or will not be giving us any money. I do think that the project could be broken into two projects we could start the plant upgrade now and wait for the phosphorus portion. I would be much more comfortable with this project if it were put out to referendum next year, in a Presidential election year, when voter turnout will be higher and will better reflect the community’s preference.

2.) Cheshire has an Economic Development Coordinator and a tax abatement program for new or expanding businesses. Our Economic Development Coordinator works hard to attract new businesses and works with our existing businesses that are looking to expand. Our tax abatement program reduces a company’s property taxes as an incentive to locate here or expand, and has penalties for those who leave before the agreement is completed. We have in place what we need to stimulate growth in the tax base.

Clearly, the current economic conditions have slowed growth. There are a few additional steps that we can take now to be ready when things do

Age — 68 Education— B.S. in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State College Occupation — Manager Flower Shop At Cheshire Nursery Family — Husband Bruce Klein, four children, six grandchildren Relevant experience: Former Cheshire business owner; Past president Cheshire Chamber of Commerce; Cheshire Planning and Zoning.

1.) A basic, though not glamorous service provided by the Town of Cheshire, wastewater treatment is likely low on most folks’ priority list unless and until your household is affected by non- functioning sewers.

The equipment in our wastewater plant is badly in need of upgrading before we are faced with a major breakdown of services. The WPCA has developed a plan for upgrading the plant.

It is expected that the entire project can be completed at a cost to the Town of Cheshire significantly lower than the referendum amount. The project will be completed in stages. The bonding for this project will not begin until 2013 and will be done in two stages as required. The entire projected cost for the upgrade as planned must be identified and approved before grant applications can be filed. Our Town manager is actively working with our state representatives to acquire partial funding by the State for the prison usage. In my opinion, the Town will be best served by being prepared to implement the upgrade should there be a catastrophic failure of the system while, at the same time, seeking cost savings and reimbursement whereever possible.

2.) The Grand List is the basis for just one of several sources Cheshire relies on to deliver services to our residents.

State and Federal Funding sources are becoming less reliable. But, the bigger issue here is that the tax structure in the state is not favorable to business in general. Cheshire has seen the positive result of hard work by our economic development team to maintain and slightly increase our Grand List. Several businesses have expanded, new medical facilities and a pharmaceutical fulfillment company are planning to move to town. The West Main Street Streetscape project, including the development of the Ball and Socket property, will encourage potential service and retail businesses, and is a positive step. The careful planning to develop the historic properties in the center of Cheshire will

add office, residential, and potential restaurant space. But, until there is a commitment from the State to become more business friendly, it will continue to be difficult for small towns to offer enough incentives to guarantee that business remains here.

3.) The Town of Cheshire has always and continues to rely on the expertise of volunteers committed to contributing their knowledge and expertise to finding solutions to challenges facing the Town, and to manage and oversee the general operation of both education and town services. These volunteers bring experience in finance, construction, engineering, human service, housing, technology, law, education, fire protection and more – all at no cost to the Town. For the first time, as we approached the election cycle, neither political party could find enough candidates to fill the slates. Many of our boards and commissions are operating as less than a full committee. Perhaps it is the contentious political attitudes which seem to be the norm these days.

Perhaps it is lack of personal time. Perhaps there is a perception that the process of becoming involved is closed to anyone who is not part of the “political elite.” Perhaps there is a sense that individuals do not have a voice. That needs to change. As a councilor, I expect to hear from the residents about issues, I will respond with facts. By supporting involvement of citizens, I hope to change the perception that someone else will volunteer so that Cheshire will continue to be a friendly, small town we can be proud of.

The Cheshire herald, OCTOBER 27, 2011

Eight

Election 2011 Candidates Running For Cheshire Board Of Education Candidiates For Cheshire Board of Education were asked to respond to the following three questions: 1.) Considering current economic conditions, what actions would you propose the Board of Education take to ensure that Cheshire continues to offer one of the best school systems in the state, while taking into consideration new fiscal realities? 2.) What do you believe is the proper role of the Board of Education: to advocate for the largest possible budgetary increase from the Town Council, or offer a fiscally-restrained proposal each year? 3.) What specific education-related issue would you address immediately if elected?

Board Of Education

Board Of Education

Gerry Brittingham, Republican

Cathy Hellreich, Democrat

Age — 52 Education— Graduated from Hamden High Jan. 1977 Occupation — Owner Queen B’s Painting Family — Wife Margaret, children, Aaron and Alex Relevant experience — Honorable Discharge after four years active duty USMC 1981; Currently serving first four-year term on the BOE, last two as BOE Chairman.

Age — 51 Education— B.A. Psychology, Lafayette College Occupation — Sales Associate, Williams-Sonoma, Farmington Family — Married with a son and three daughters Relevant experience — Board of Education for four years; Secretary for four years, Curriculum chair two years; PTA/PTO member and officer over 21 years; Past Board member of Cheshire Youth Baseball and Wildcats Softball.

1.) I think one of the most important actions that can be taken to ensure Cheshire continues to offer one of the best school systems in the state is for the Board of Education and the Town Council to learn to communicate. Both bodies need to be able to talk and listen to each other so that they are able to make decisions in the best interest of the Town, without pitting factions of the Town against each other. I believe the Board must strive to keep class sizes for K-2 in the 18 – 20 student range and concentrate on reading and math so that students have a good foundation as they enter into third grade where content becomes more important. It’s also important to stay on top of maintenance as we have aging buildings that require constant attention. The Board must do all of this and more using their resources wisely, ever mindful of the new economic realities.

2.) Neither of the above options is the proper role of the Board of Education.

I believe the proper role of the Board See HELLREICH, page 12

Ed Hill, Republican

Age — 63 Education— University of Connecticut School of Law, Juris Doctor, with honors; Trinity College, Hartford, Con-

TOD

BOARD OF EDUCATION

vocate for the best possible education system for the children of that district, regardless of cost.

While it may seem to be a matter of dollars, it really is in essence the opportunities that a particular community can afford the students. It is not a matter of the size of the increase, but the substance behind it.

The number one asset of Cheshire is the school system. If the Town chooses not to invest in its chief asset, why would people or businesses invest in the town? This is not an excuse for profligate spending, it is a simple choice this town and it’s residents must make.

3.) I have strongly advocated (for many years) for the introduction of world languages in the elementary grades as common sense (and family experience) has shown that children are most receptive to new ideas in the elementary years. This is without a doubt the greatest deficiency in the Cheshire school system and contributes to the long term loss of opportunity for our students.

Board Of Education

DIXON

1.) The BOE must, through its various committees (most importantly curriculum), ensure that all of the various components that comprise our educa-

tion system first and foremost justify their existence by need, results, compliance with state/federal requirements, and cost to the taxpayer. Most importantly, new or existing programs must demonstrate a long term concrete benefit for the students in competing in the new and increasingly demanding world in which we live.

We, as a town and society, must stop living in the past and accept the fact that education and the requirements of todays students, administrators, teachers, and parents simply aren’t what they were 10 or 20 years ago and will never be again.

The amount of knowledge required of today’s seniors far exceeds that of years past, and if we want to earn and re-earn the reputation that Cheshire has, we must, as a town, invest wisely in our single greatest asset.

2.) The role of the BOE is to ensure that all policies and regulations of the local BOE are in compliance with state and federal requirements.

Also, it is the role of the BOE to ad-

necticut, B.A. English Occupation — Attorney Family — Wife Lisa, children, Carla, Terence, Amanda, and Travis Relevant experience — Cable Television Advisory Council (Chairman); Town of Cheshire Legal Services Study Group (Member).

1.) In the best of economic times, there are never unlimited resources. The current economy further limits available resources and now, more than ever, the Board has to do more with less. In the near term, much of the expense in the current budget is set because of contractual commitments or because of the nature of the expenditure (e.g., utilities, routine maintenance).

The emphasis must be on establishing priorities and allocating resources

elect steve Carroll

consistent with those priorities. The mission of the Cheshire schools is to provide high quality educational opportunities. The Board should, in collaboration with the administration and the teachers, search for ways to strengthen core instruction that doesn't involve additional expenditures. One way to do that is for the administration to give high priority to supervision and evaluation of teachers and principals, and to encourage informal professional development among teachers through, for example, sharing of best practices and learning strategies so that less experienced teachers will develop skills above the level expected, based on their years of teaching. There should be accountability at all levels, teachers, principals, and administration, to focus

on that goal. The marginal cost would be negligible compared to the positive contribution to educational excellence.

2.) The Board of Education budget is the means for implementing the policies and priorities established by the Board to provide the high quality educational opportunities that is the mission of the Cheshire schools. It must include components and minimums that are not discretionary. It should include initiatives and programs that are reflective of the current state-of-the-art in education and that are responsive to the needs of the community. The budget should be reasonable. “Reasonable” includes consideration of the current economic realities. You can view “reasonable” as a circle. The budget should See HILL, page 12

On Nov. 8th • Minimize any tax increases.

• Maintain existing services whenever possible.

• leverage technology to improve service and lower costs.

RE-ELECT

• support energy initiatives that have measurable savings for years to come.

Town Council – 4th district Paid for by Dixon for BOE

Fair

honest

Qualified

“remarkably effective,” Cheshire Herald, Nov. 3, 2005

Paid for by steve Carroll, 70 hidden Place, Cheshire, CT 06410 • approved by steve Carroll

The Cheshire herald, OCTOBER 27, 2011

Nine

Election 2011 Candidates Running For Cheshire Board Of Education Candidiates For Cheshire Board of Education were asked to respond to the following three questions: 1.) Considering current economic conditions, what actions would you propose the Board of Education take to ensure that Cheshire continues to offer one of the best school systems in the state, while taking into consideration new fiscal realities? 2.) What do you believe is the proper role of the Board of Education: to advocate for the largest possible budgetary increase from the Town Council, or offer a fiscally-restrained proposal each year? 3.) What specific education-related issue would you address immediately if elected?

Board Of Education

Board Of Education

´ Soble, Democrat Marlena

Tod Dixon, Republican

Age — 44 Education— B.A. University of California, Berkeley; J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in Boston Occupation — Attorney Family — Husband John Nann, children, Jordan and Micayla Relevant experience — Attorney in private practice with extensive advocacy and negotiation experience; Active at Highland School as a parent volunteer and in the PTO, including being co-chair of the Book Fair; Chair of the Social Action Committee and board member at Temple Beth David.

1.) As an outsider to the political system in Cheshire, I can see that one of the main problems facing the schools and the Town is the failure of the Town Council and the Board of Education to communicate. In college I learned that true communication is not only the act of speaking, but also of listen-

ing. I think this breakdown of effective communication between the Board of Education and the Town Council is the biggest threat to our school system and, by extension, to the whole town. Part of the problem appears to be a misunderstanding of the role of the Board of Education. The Board of Education is not an agent of the Town Council, but, as Connecticut courts have held: "local boards of education are not agents of the towns but creatures of the state."

The Town Council should work together with the Board of Education in a spirit of cooperation and trust, and both should endeavor to make the best decisions for the benefit of all of Cheshire.

2.) I believe the proper role for the Board of Education is neither of the above-mentioned options. The proper and legal role for the Board of Education is to put forth a budget that accurately reflects the needs of the school district in order for it to continue to be one of the best in the state. Especially in these tough economic times, the Board does need to keep an eye on the bottom-line, but it also cannot afford to lose sight of the importance of the school district to the town as a whole. The schools are Cheshire’s most valuable assets, and they need to be protected. The job of the Board of Education is to work with the Superintendent of Schools to ensure that the budget presented to the Town Manager is one that is both reasonable and forward-looking. It is the responsibility of the Town Council

Reasons Continued... continued from page 3 me and the other residents of Cheshire to contribute to the continued success of Cheshire, and its desirability as a place to reside.

Ed Hill Republican I am running for the Board of Education because I want to contribute to Cheshire's tradition of excellence in education. I have been a Cheshire resident for over 35 years. I have long-term experience with the schools as my four children all attended Cheshire schools from kindergarten through high school.

Yet, as a newcomer to the Board, I will bring a fresh perspective to its work.

With my legal training and 38 years of experience as a business lawyer, I can contribute practical and effective problem solving skill and experience to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities. Beyond the routine work of the Board, receiving reports from, and addressing issues raised by, administrators and monitoring finances, the overriding role of the Board is to set stra-

tegic policies, goals, and objectives for the system. I would like to contribute my skills and experience to that work.

PZC Candidates Woody Dawson Republican

I enjoy serving on the Cheshire Planning and Zoning Commission as I have done for more than 12 years. I love the Town of Cheshire and have watched the town grow as a young man to the present, and it gives me great satisfaction to know that I was a part of that growth as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. I want to give back to the town some of what it has given me most of my life as a resident of Cheshire. I have worked hard serving the public in my career and will continue to do so for Cheshire, if re-elected in November.

Marty Cobern Democrat

to have respect for the budget process itself and an open mind regarding the budget proposal that is approved by the Board of Education and presented to the Town Manager. It is imperative that the Board of Education and the Town Council work together, not as adversaries in the budget process but as allies, to ensure that our schools receive the goodwill and best efforts from both entities.

3.) I have never served on the Board of Education, and therefore I don’t as yet have one specific education-related issue that I would address immediately. I would bring a fresh perspective to the Board of Education which would allow me to look at all the issues and to judge them independently. One area that I know I would like to address a involves the physical infrastructure of the school buildings themselves. I asked my sixth-grader for her opinion about this question and her answer, surprisingly, did not involve any of her classes.

She suggested spending more money to put heaters and air-conditioners in the classrooms: “It’s hard to focus when it’s too hot or too cold.” Cheshire’s newest school buildings are approaching their 50th birthday, and I would propose a town-wide evaluation of all the buildings so that we might know today what improvements will need to be made tomorrow. Further, I cannot overstate the importance of art, music, gym, computer, library and foreign language to the overall curriculum. Each of these “specials” adds so much to a student’s overall development into a happy child and a successful adult.

Age — 73 Education— Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, Ohio State University; M.B.A., Stern School - New York University; Certified Data Processor (CDP) Occupation — Retired VP from Northeast Utilities; VP of RAY Associates (communications consulting firm) Family — Wife Linda, children, Troy and Terri Relevant experience: Current Vice Chairman of the BOE; Town Councill; Water Pollution Control Authority.

1. The budget and the cost of education is a primary concern of both the Board and the Administration. I don't believe there is a magic bullet that will solve the financial problems.

We continue to search for new ways to provide the best education, and funding is only one aspect of the many things that go into making a superior education system. One of the most satisfying things is our citizens’ commitment to providing this superior educational experience. The children come to our classrooms ready and willing to learn.

2. The Board's role should be to provide the best educational experience while acting responsibly in fiscal matters and the many other aspects of our education program. Just throwing money at the educational system will not, and cannot, assure an excellent system.

While a sufficient amount of funding is necessary to maintain the excellent nature of our system, all of the pieces of the system must excel for the entire educational system to be a success.

3. One major existing problem that must be addressed in the immediate future is the size of some classes. The board was expecting a significant reduction in the student population, but was instead presented with an increase of approximately 25 students. There are a number of ways to address this situation, and some have been employed in the past. The board needs to seek innovative solutions for the long term that will solve this problem and permit it to stay within it's financial constraints.

The 5th Democrat Jim McKenney Council At Large - 1C Paid For By Committee To Elect Jim McKenney, Barbara Christoff, Treasurer, Approved by Jim McKenney

Elect

Joe Schmitt

Democrat - Town Council 3rd District

• Control Taxes by Spending Wisely • Protect Our Schools and Property Values • Assist the Needs of Our Seniors

I was planning to retire after this continued to page 10

Protect Our Greatest Assets

Support Our Schools Vote Democratic Paid for by the Cheshire Democratic Town Committee - Peter Blomstrom Treasurer. Approved by Cathy Hellreich. Approved by Marléna J. Soble

Vote Democrat Nov. 8th Approved by Joe Schmitt and Paid for by the Committee to Elect Joe Schmitt for Cheshire Town Council, Geralyn F. Schmitt, Treasurer

The Cheshire herald, OCTOBER 27, 2011

Ten

Election 2011 Candidates Running For Cheshire PZC Commission Candidiates For Cheshire Planning and Zoning Commission were asked to respond to the following three questions: 1.) Cheshire is no longer the small farm town it was hundreds of years ago, but many still feel it has a bedroom community charm. How, as a commissioner, can you balance new development while maintaining that feel? 2.) Traffic, especially along the Route 10 corridor, is cited as a complaint of many. How would traffic concerns play into your decision-making as a commissioner? 3.) How often should the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development be changed or updated?

Should it occur every 10 years as it is now, or should it be reopened sooner?

PZC

PZC

Woody Dawson, Republican

Marty Cobern, Democrat

children Relevant experience — Current Planning and Zoning Commission member; Cheshire Zoning Board of Appeals; Cheshire Building Board of Appeals.

Age — 71 Education— Southington High School; Numerous continuing education courses Occupation — Owner, Dawson Real Estate Inspection company Family — Two sons, two daughters, seven grandchildren, two great grand-

1.) We begin by supporting local businesses and property owners and try to protect their interests.

2.) We work very closely with the Cheshire Police Department, which is the local traffic authority. We always evaluate safety concerns in our decisions.

3.) We are waiting for the Connecticut Conservation and Development Policies Plan to be revised. Our local Plan has to consider the recommendations contained in the State Plan. This should be complete by 2012 and we will proceed from there.

Reasons Continued...

continued from page 9 term, but decided to stay for one reason only. Over the next two years, the PZC will be revising the Plan of Conservation and Development, which was last revised in 2002, when I was Chair. This document is the guidance for all new land use regulations. The previous revision led to several positive changes in Cheshire, particularly in the encouragement of mixed-uses in the Town Center.

I would like to ensure that the new Plan

leads to further improvements of life in Cheshire.

Lelah Campo Republican

Age — 65 Education— Ph.D. (Nuclear physics), Yale University Occupation — VP Research & Development, APS Technology, Inc. Family — Married, two daughters, two grandsons Relevant experience — Member of PZC for more than 13 years, chair for two; Member of Central Naugatuck Regional Planning Commission for six years, chair for two; Chair of the Open Space Land Use Committee.

1.) I will continue to do what I have

Lelah Campo, Republican Family — Married, with three children Relevant experience — Current member of PZC; Ownership in concrete construction company.

ELECT

Sylvia Nichols Town Council At-large Paid by The Committee to Elect Sylvia Nichols John C. Bollinger, Treasurer

school buses off Main Street. We have not been fully successful in this regard, and therefore a service road may require eminent domain acquisitions, if it is to come to pass. I have also evaluated every application along Main Street for its effect on traffic. One example is the new McDonald’s which, by having two drive-through lanes, prevents traffic from backing up onto the street in peak hours.

3.) I believe that the 10 year cycle is appropriate. The last revision took nearly 18 months to compete, including multiple committee meetings with the Town Attorney, and public hearings on each section. As a result of this process, the revision met with nearly universal plaudits. Its effectiveness has been proven over the past decade.

A shorter cycle would place an excessive burden on the PZC and staff.

Also, as the Plan is a guideline, it takes several years before its terms are reflected in new regulations, and additional time for applications to be approved and build in accord with these.

Five years is inadequate for judging the effectiveness of the Plan.

PZC

As an appointed Commissioner, I am running for re-election, but it will be the first time the voters will get to decide if I am a good candidate for the PZC. I have enjoyed my stint on the Commission and hope the voters will give me an opportunity to serve two more years.

Your common sense candidate

done for the last 13years, consider each application in the context of the Plan of Conservation & Development. One of my first actions on joining the PZC was to propose (and have passed) a regulation that prevents the development of ‘big box’ stores in town. I also voted for the changes in the Interchange Zone regulations that allowed the proposed mixed-use “lifestyle center” mall in the North End. In this way, Cheshire can profit from increased tax revenues while keeping Main Street from becoming another Route 5 in Wallingford or Route 10 in Southington.

2.) By concentrating large-scale commercial development in the Interchange Zone, we will give it alternate means of access. Despite the failure of several referenda in the past to create a bypass road, the PZC has attempted to require easements along the backs of properties on the east side of Main Street. The hope is that at some point a service road can be built from Wallingford Road to Chipman Drive. We could then require all traffic exiting into Main Street to do so at a crossing with a traffic light. This road would also take the

Age — 38 Education— Graduated from Frank Scott Bunnell High School Occupation — President of Associated Builders and Contractors

Ed Hill

1.) I bring a common sense approach to the process. P&Z commissioners must adhere to the zoning rules for Cheshire that already place restrictions on the types and size of future development. I look forward to enforcing those rules, while also appropriately placing my vote for smart development and future tax base growth that those projects would generate.

2.) You can get anywhere from Cheshire, except Hamden! Route 10 is very tough, especially during peak

times for the high school and commuters. In my short time on P&Z, each project that has come before us that would impact Rt. 10 my fellow commissioners have reviewed traffic studies and seriously considered if a new project would add to the congestion. I would support that continued process.

3.) At a recent Republican Town Committee meeting, it was discussed that Planning and Zoning has not had as much activity as usual due to the economy.

It was suggested that we take advantage of that and use this “slow” time to update the Plan before the construction industry picks up again. I believe that was an excellent idea that I would support.

for Board of Education

• Cheshire Resident for over 35 years.

• Four children educated in Cheshire School System.

• Practicing business lawyer with 38 years of practical and effective problem solving.

• Bringing a fresh approach to the challenges of educating our children. ◊

The Board of Education should make policy and budget decisions that support quality leadership and teaching, create a culture of accountability in management and instruction, and promote ever increasing student achievement.

Ed Hill 251 Greenwood Drive, Cheshire, CT 06410 Telephone: (203) 272-4668 Email: ehill23@cox.net

It’s all about our children! www.cheshiregop.com approved by ed hill. Paid for by the Committee to elect ed hill, Treasurer, lisa Cappalli.

The Cheshire herald, OCTOBER 27, 2011

Eleven

Election 2011 Sima... continued from page 6 2.) All of the country is struggling with the recession, and Cheshire is not immune from this economic down turn.

Businesses struggle every day to stay afloat and are not able to expand and grow as in the past. Gimmicks to attract growth usually generate short term benefits in the Grand List but quickly die and require extra services and costs to the Town, easily overriding the revenue

generated from the quick fix. What has always worked well for Cheshire is a strong plan of economic development.

Planning has produced steady growth through the years without seeing any decline in Grand List growth, as most towns in the state and country have experienced.

Keeping businesses in town is a factor of fair and steady tax rates. It is difficult for businesses to deal with taxes

that increase sharply every year, often leading to businesses leaving for a better tax environment. The other major factor for most small to medium businesses is a safe community. I believe Cheshire offers both and, over the long haul, has proven to give us a very stable tax base and a Town envied by many.

3.) One issue that comes to my mind first is the Teacher’s contract which will be negotiated next year. While this

may sound like a small issue, it does consume 30-40 percent of the Town’s entire budget.

I believe the next Council must be able to take all perspectives into account, remaining transparent during the negotiations, and working for the best interest of the entire Town.

If the process breaks down to petty political bickering, everyone will lose (except, of course, the lawyers involved

during the entire process costing the Town a healthy sum).

Education is vital to me as it is to all in Cheshire. When revenues become limited, leadership must work to get the best bang for the buck delivering a quality education for the children.

We will all work for a positive outcome that will have long lasting beneficial effects for the entire Cheshire community.

Republicans, and Town Manager Mike Milone. This group could be a key revenue producer, identifying companies looking for a new home and making presentations to these companies in an attempt to lure them here.

3.) Issues don’t get much bigger than a $30 million price tag to upgrade a wastewater treatment plant. But one issue with the water treatment plant is getting a better read on what needs to be done when it comes to removing phosphorous. I walked nearly 30 streets the last three weeks and found people feel a disconnect with the Town Council. Communication is key and I bring a strong background in that area. The Town Council needs its own website.

Town Council blogs would communicate viewpoints, online chatlines would enhance one-on-one communication and online polls would help educate council members. Creating Town Council-based Facebook and Twitter accounts would help. Education should

be addressed, identifying the needs to make our children competitive worldwide. It’s important to find closure with sports/recreational issues that initially had me enter this campaign. The

boys lockerroom at the high school is a safety/health issue. There are ways to enhance what the Town pool already has to offer. Mixville Park is a huge success story waiting to happen. Skate-

board park has potential and the dog park should become reality. Examining all options, using creative thinking and thinking outside the box can solve those issues and other issues.

stated previously, growth in the Grand List will be a major concern. We cannot take the attitude that our problems are the result of the economic downturn and there is nothing we can do. We need to plan for the future by taking an even more active approach to growing the tax base. More tax incentives for building new commercial and industrial structures and additions to existing ones are needed.

At one time D.O.T was here to solve our Rt. 10 problem. The Town governing body couldn’t choose between the three options presented. Twenty-five

or 30 years later we still have no solution and the State of Connecticut is in no financial condition to help as it once was. We must not miss opportunities when they arise.

Our public buildings, for the most part, are aging and we need to begin planning on how to improve the situation. Our educational system seems to be at odds with the council every budget year.

Town Council needs to work cooperatively with all departments, including the Board of Education, to better plan for our future.

Nowak...

continued from page 6 have no control over what happens on the state level. But we can control what happens at our local level, offering long-term tax incentives and opportunities that give businesses long-term security. Our state offers some of the best universities in the world and as a result we have a highly educated and trained workforce that utililizes state-of-the-art technology. Our biggest asset in enticing businesses to come here is our education system. Our town offers a high quality of life. The location is exceptional, lying between Boston and New York. I believe one last piece of the puzzle is needed - a high-powered volunteer committee identifying companies looking for a better home. Cheshire is blessed with exceptional professionals and we need to tap into that resource.

This special committee would be comprised of two marketing professionals, two business entrepreneurs, two Town Council Democrats, two Town Council

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McKenney... continued from page 6 We need to understand their needs and do everything within our power to meet those needs. Cheshire representatives need to meet with and understand the needs of the business community and assist it whenever possible.

3.) Virtually all of the issues in any community are financial whether it be town services, education, etc… Having said that, the council needs to begin realizing that they have to do a better job in planning for the future not on a two-year cycle but more on a 40-year cycle, being revised regularly. As



   I supported budgets that held the two year tax

increase to the lowest level in Cheshire history…while maintaining essential services.

 I stood up for taxpayers… and helped win meaningful concessions from union leaders.  I supported changes to town employee pension plans…and strengthened retirement reserves.  I resisted calls to “spend it now” and supported funding

future liabilities and debt service relief with the 5 million dollar CRRA windfall.

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The Cheshire herald, OCTOBER 27, 2011

Twelve

Election 2011 Slocum...

continued from page 6 form of a statewide dispatch center.

These facts will ultimately convince the state to come to terms with the Town.

Our state delegation, your town council and town management are working towards this reasonable outcome.

2.) There is no greater certainty in the current business climate and the direction of state policy makers than the fact that businesses will continue to exit the state. I think the state is the greatest hindrance to business stability and expansion. Current tax policy will continue to hurt any efforts towns can make to grow a Grand List. The current strategy is to extend property tax abatements to businesses that commit to job growth.

There are some local success stories.

A closer look at where new businesses come from will reveal that neighboring towns gain and subtract from neighboring towns. There are rare examples of large businesses coming here. Why? Connecticut’s tax structure is way too high. Voters in this state must reexamine their voting habits and take a closer look at the actions of elected leaders as opposed to their campaign rhetoric.

They will see that the last 50 years of monolithic Democratic control of the

The 5th Democrat Jim McKenney Council At Large - 1C Paid For By Committee To Elect Jim McKenney, Barbara Christoff, Treasurer, Approved by Jim McKenney

state legislature has resulted in an exodus for industry, with an accompanying growth in state supported public agencies and public employees. Nothing will change until we, the public, engage in redirecting the focus of government to the productive redevelopment of business and industry in Connecticut.

3.) That’s a fun question for the po-

Hill...

continued from page 8 be somewhere in that circle. The Board has not fulfilled its responsibility if the proposed budget is outside the circle, either on the high or low side. Unreasonably high could result in loss of credibility and a backlash. Unreasonably low wouldn’t be consistent with Cheshire’s tradition of educational excellence. The legal structure of the process leaves the Town Council to make the decision on the level of educational expenditures, in light of other relevant considerations and demands on the resources of the Town. The Board, then, is responsible for fulfilling its mission within the constraints of the allocation it is given.

3.) The first thing that I would like to address after I am elected is to look into the existing rules and procedures to determine the extent to which they should be enhanced or modified, to promote a culture and system of accountability both with regard to management of the system and with regard to instructional

litical science major, but the next Council will remain singularly focused on budgetary issues just as families will, as they to struggle pay tuition next semester for that poli-sci major. Every government function is produced and paid for with tax dollars from residents and this won’t change in two years. What is top of mind today? Is my job secure?

Will gas be $5 next spring? What will health insurance cost? What is abundantly clear is that elected officials can’t expect to raise taxes willy-nilly to satisfy ordinary cost increases without reexamining every ounce of potential savings, including a reduction of services. The budget has eclipsed $100 million and next year’s property revalu-

ation will reveal the obvious in unsung glory, housing and business property values have declined sharply. Yet as the public’s nest egg has been sharply diminished, the Town must continue to maintain services and the assets we have built here so I will stay focused on the Town’s balance sheet so taxpayers can improve theirs.

excellence. There should be accountability throughout the system, to include, teachers, principals and administration. The Board should hold itself to a similar standard.

There are examples after examples that prove the basic proposition that the best educational results come from stu-

dents who have good teachers. While culture, economic levels and other factors can play a role, students of good teachers regularly overcome those negatives and succeed. The Board should work collaboratively with the teachers so that those with less experience have the benefit of mentoring from the more

experienced teachers, professional development is encouraged and rewarded, and there is continuous supervision and evaluation so that every teacher will be performing at a very high level. All of those efforts should be measured on a regular basis and strategies adjusted to address areas that need improvement.

the Superintendent’s proposed budget.

The Board also must take into consideration the needs and the wants of the system. After carefully reviewing all aspects of the budget, and determining if any “wants” should be included in the budget proposal, the Board should approve and take ownership of the budget that is presented to the Town Manager.

3.) While I was a member of the BOE from 2005-2009, we began a collaboration with the Cheshire Edu-

cation Foundation to install science classrooms in the elementary schools.

Chapman school was the recipient of the first science classroom. During the last budget cycle, Chapman became a target for closing in part because the school is under-utilized. I would like to see Chapman brought up to capacity with students and would propose using Chapman as a town-wide “magnet” school for math, science, and technology.

Hellreich... continued from page 8 of Education is to put forth to the Town Council a budget that accurately reflects what is required to run the school system. To put forth a budget that advocates for the largest budgetary increase possible is fiscally irresponsible and would be damaging to the credibility of Board members. At the same time, to always propose a tight fiscally restrained budget may cause harm to the system.

The Board of Education always should be aware of the economic conditions they are working with when reviewing

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LOUIS NERO 

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Approved and paid for by Louis Nero

“Those that know him best, trust him most.”

November 8th 2011 Planning & Zoning

R O W 14B Elected by the People & Worked for the People for two decades

S. WOODY DAWSON (203) 710-1795 (203) 272-7400

S MART PLANNING = P OSITIVE GROWTH (Paid for by “Re-Elect Woody Dawson 2011, Robert Knowles Treasurer, Approved by Woody Dawson)

Flynn-Harris ...

continued from page 7 by our tax structure. We received it for our schools, our sports, our housing of all kinds, our leisure activities, and our public highway access. The combination that makes Cheshire a great place to live is what will keep businesses in Cheshire.

3.) There are few concerns that are not budgetary in this economy. And almost every large issue is budgetary. How do we maintain the balance I mentioned above within the budget constraints that we face. That is the job of the Town Council. To recognize the diversity of needs in town, to balance them with limited resources. I’ve mentioned many times that there are

O’Donnell...

continued from page 7 3.) One of my biggest non-budgetary concerns is the lack of participation from the public in town government.

During my conversations with residents, I have heard many reasons for the lack of participation; their schedules are too busy, they believe that no one is listening to their concerns; and they are tired of the personal attacks among the Councilors. I see this as a problem that

Behrer...

residents who walk the Linear Path, but would never use the pool; residents who would use the pool, that would never go a sports event at the high school; residents who use all of the Town’s resources, and some who use none. And one concrete way to make sure we are working and maintaining that balance is to ensure that we have an open, transparent government. No more budget decisions made after public hearings and behind closed doors. No decisions about increases or spending cuts without full public discussion. As I said before, Cheshire is a great town, but we can always make it better by making sure that we are always open and above board in all our actions.

we need to work on over the coming years. Several ideas I have to improve the lack of participation from the public in town government are to increase the collaboration between the town residents and Councilors, make myself available in person and via email, respond to residents in a timely manner, and to treat everyone on the Town Council in a civil manner to increase the harmony of our town government.

continued from page 5 derstand the side of the homeowner and the side of business. The Town Council must do a better job.

3.) A major problem facing Cheshire is proper planning with accountability.

Republicans say we can borrow money for the sewer plant because “money is cheap” but they do not address our school buildings in the same conversation.

The only two referendum items on the ballot are $1.5 million for paving roads and $30 million for an open ended sewer project. Nothing is requested for repairing our 50-year-old school buildings. Important items such as window replacement, roof repair, and overall facility maintenance are being pushed out again. A certain Council member calls the education system “the beast” and says “we should not feed the beast.” It appears a few members want to dismantle our school system because it is not their reality. It is time Cheshire stood up for education and voted on Nov. 8. If voters stay home during a local election, they deserve the outcome.

If we have a large turnout, Cheshire will have made its choice. Vote to ensure your children grow up to be better educated and more secure in their future than you.

Mike O’Donnell for Town Council At-Large Paid for by the Committee to Elect Mike OʼDonnell, Marie OʼDonnell, Treasurer. Ad approved by Mike OʼDonnell.