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Troubled by chronic delays in the completion of Fairfields third train station, in February 2010 David Becker fought hard alongside Kathy Braun to establish an RTM Special Committee to review and examine the current status of the 2003 Metro Center Tripartite Agreement among Connecticut State, the Town of Fairfield and Blackrock Realty. Becker was rightly concerned that the original contract left taxpayers at risk for further losses after Blackrock developer Kurt Wittek defaulted on millions of dollars in private funding. The Braun-Becker Resolution got no support from Board of Finance Republican Vice-Chairman Rob Bellitto, or his Democratic colleague Mike Tetreau, both of whom are running for First Selectman. It got no help from then RTM Moderator Jim Walsh, or from state Republicans. The motion failed by only two votes. Two months later Ken Flatto, backed by the Board of Selectmen, announced new contracts he negotiated essentially alone. The Board of Finance remained mute, even after restructured debt agreements attached to Flattos 2010 deal should have triggered their own inquiry. This failure of leadership could cost Fairfield up to $12 million in additional expenses and lost revenue.
Despite all the pretty words from Bellitto and Tetreau, they and the Board of Finance sat on their hands and let this financial train wreck happen. Only David Becker took decisive action when it mattered. Becker is also the only First Selectman candidate committed to substantial charter reform to establish a protective balance of power in our town government, including long-overdue rights of oversight and investigation for the RTM. From now on we taxpayers had better know who our friends are. Should we believe what they say now -- or what they DID then? Republicans, join me in voting for David Becker on Tuesday, July 19 (noon to 8 p.m).
Ellen Jacob, Fairfield, CT
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