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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 Evaristo Lobato, a Republican running for the Representative Town Meeting in District 5.
Why should people vote for you?
For many years, District 5 residents have been taken for granted by our RTM representatives. They have failed by not keeping us informed, by not asking tough questions on issues like budgets and the train station and by not attending RTM meetings. Fairfield is a great town and I am willing to work hard to help make it better.
What are the biggest issues facing Fairfield?
We have a great town with a great school system. This has made Fairfield very attractive, but has also put our schools under enormous strain. We have to continue our tradition of quality education. We have to maintain the retirement funds of our public employees. We have to be very careful with the way we spend our money, as we have limited financial resources and Fairfielders are feeling burdened by local, state and federal taxes.
Is Fairfield going in the right direction? If you are a challenger, what has your opponent done wrong while in office?
I believe it is, but that doesnt mean that we can sit back and enjoy. We have to keep Fairfield going in the right direction. We need to attract more, diverse businesses. There are so many vacant, blighted, lots. I feel bad that our teenagers really do not have a place that is oriented specifically toward them where they can hang out and be safe. That would be excellent for them.
As Ive mentioned before, weve been taken for granted. Failure to attend the RTM meetings and failure to inform us, and get our thoughts about the issues, means failure as an elected official.
What would you do to involve your constituents in your decision-making process?
There is no excuse for not trying to get in touch with the people you represent. I have tried to let my neighbors know who I am, and provide them with a way of getting in touch: phone, email, social media, U.S. mail or just by stopping by my home. I am fully bilingual in English and Spanish, and have often found myself assisting my neighbors and fellow school parents.
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.
Because of the way the town is structured, an RTM member has very limited power. However, this doesnt mean that one should be quiet about an issue. I will keep our neighbors informed and get them involved. I will not be a rubber-stamp or vote based on party line or on friendship. I will be thorough in my research and will always try to ask the right questions.
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