50°
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 Douglas Jones, a Democrat running for the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) in District 4.
Why should people vote for you?
Meg and I moved to Fairfield 25 years ago and weve come to know Fairfields neighborhoods, its schools and a lot of its residents. I served three-plus terms on the RTM from 2001 to 2007, and as majority leader from 2005 to 2007, so I can hit the ground running. I have a number of friends on the other side of the aisle who will vouch for my reasonableness and sense of fair play, even when disagree with me.
What are the biggest issues facing Fairfield?
We need to do a better job balancing our financial investments in town services and amenities with our responsibility to keep Fairfield affordable. The town budget process requires close questioning of town officials, particularly the Board of Education and central office. Board of Education budget presentations begin with the move ahead costs, showing this is what it will cost to deliver the same program ? along with the same inefficiencies ? that was delivered last year. Efficiencies can be found in administrative staffing, transportation and facilities management. Reductions in staff who work directly with our kids are a false economy.
Is Fairfield going in the right direction? If you are an incumbent, what were your biggest achievements? If you are a challenger, what has your opponent done wrong while in office?
In my three terms, I actively supported the two-high school position, which was supported by my constituents. I voted for modest investments of town funds in the Community Theatre and the Fairfield Theatre Company, which have paid significant returns in a revitalized town center. And as the result of a question from a constituent, I personally made certain that the income limit on a portion of the senior and disabled tax relief program was indexed to inflation.
The current RTM majority has brought a hyper-partisan tone to the body. The recent $800,000 cut to the BOE budget was motivated by a me-too desire to produce a cut, any cut, which was then arrived at by a hasty, behind-closed-doors process. The vote on the unified Fairfield Woods funding was conducted by voice, rather than by roll call, allowing RTM members to avoid going on the record regarding an expenditure of more than $25 million.
What would you do to involve your constituents in your decision-making process?
In the past, we have held constituent meetings and set up a district email address for feedback. Neither has been terrifically successful, but I would continue those practices. A District 4 Facebook page would be simple to produce and I believe it could be managed on a bipartisan basis. I do believe, however, that the media need to remind and even prod the public that RTM members have an obligation to be responsive and periodically publish RTM reps phone numbers and email addresses.
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.
Since the first Metro Center proposal, we were stuck with a state mandate and, of course, Kurt Wittek. Over a decade-long process, featuring the biggest financial crisis in 70 years, no amount of contract tightening could have salvaged the situation. The primary problem was the lack of unified project management and a lack of transparency on the part of the three partners to the agreement. Projects of this magnitude need to be managed more closely, both operationally and informationally.
Find all of our candidates Q&As here.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.
