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FAIRFIELD, Conn. ? To help our readers prepare for Election Day, The Daily Fairfield sent five questions to each of the candidates on the November ballot. The following response is from David Mackenzie, a Republican running for the Representative Town Meeting in District 3.
Why should people vote for you?
Fairfields challenge is to achieve a balance between maintaining a high quality of education and town services while still making Fairfield affordable. I intend to be an activist toward that end and to represent the interests of the residents of District 3.
What are the biggest issues facing Fairfield?
Some of the major issues that need to be addressed are:
The unsustainable town pension plan that exists today. We should convert to a 401(k) plan for all future hires (similar to the vast majority of private corporations).
The need to identify expenses within the Board of Education budget that can be eliminated without sacrificing a high quality of education. Over the last 10 years, the education budget has grown dramatically faster than the growth in students and teachers.
The inappropriate use of bond issues for expenditures that should be met out of current budget funds. Interest on outstanding bonds is already too big a part of the annual budget and continues to grow.
Is Fairfield going in the right direction?
As it stands now, Fairfield needs to make some significant changes. Expenses need to be brought under control and growth in taxation needs to be reined in. Addressing the issues mentioned above would help do that.
What would you do to involve your constituents in your decision-making process?
Input from constituents would be welcome through emails, phone calls and attendance at scheduled town meetings. Our obligation, in turn, would be to clearly define the issues, recommend solutions and disseminate that information through meetings and the media.
How can Fairfield avoid another Metro Center, i.e., a project that goes severely over budget? What will you do to prevent it? Be specific.
The Metro Center project lacked ongoing scrutiny by an oversight committee to ensure that the work was completed on time and within budget. All future contracts of this nature should be tracked by an ad hoc committee of qualified town representatives, which can assure speedy recognition and resolution of any problems.
Find all of our candidates Q&As here.
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