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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 Joseph Palmer, a Republican running for reelection to the Representative Town Meeting in District 4.
Why should people vote for you?
My record on the RTM clearly shows that I have the courage to take tough action to get Fairfield back on track; that Im serious about controlling taxes and spending, addressing our unsustainable long-term liabilities, making prudent investments in education and improving the standard of conduct in town government; and that I can be trusted to remain actively engaged and to make informed decisions that place the best interest of Fairfield first.
What are the biggest issues facing Fairfield?
Fairfield has reached a tipping point. Unsustainable annual increases in pension and healthcare costs, stemming from poorly negotiated labor contracts, have made flat year-over-year budgets impossible to achieve. Without seriously recalibrating these contracts, we can easily anticipate a budget shortfall exceeding $50 million over the next five years. With already-high property taxes, this cost burden could force service reductions, layoffs and a new era of limitation that's unimaginable to most of our citizens today.
Is Fairfield going in the right direction? If you are an incumbent, what were your biggest achievements?
Decisive action and increased scrutiny by Republican majorities on BOF and RTM brought positive change that was unfortunately overshadowed by messes created by the Flatto administration. Further hindering progress are cost burdens placed on Fairfield by the administrations refusal to curtail overly generous labor contracts. Since the first selectman negotiates them and Democrats continue to avoid the issue, real progress will only come by electing Republican Rob Bellitto, whose record shows hes ready to take action.
Pushed to transition new town employees from a pension to 401(a), saving the town millions over the long-term. Participated in comprehensive line-by-line review of the town budget, cutting over $1 million in discretionary spending in two years. I helped neighbors facilitate a vital sidewalk installation on a dangerous section of Stillson Road. The sidewalk is now utilized daily by dozens of students, walkers and joggers who once avoided the street entirely because of the dangerous conditions.
What would you do to involve your constituents in your decision-making process?
I built a website and utilized social media to openly solicit feedback and ideas. I am diligent about clarifying issues for citizens in the papers and through personal interactions, providing a factual base from which they can form their own opinions and react. I am earnest in attending meetings of other town bodies and citizen town halls to listen to public comment and engage in discussion with those who voice complaints or issues.
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.
I would support measures that require all town bodies to approve ANY contract greater than $100,000. I would advocate for hiring professionals to manage our large-scale capital projects. Over a year before news of overruns emerged, I supported appointing a special RTM subcommittee to help avoid this very situation by monitoring the progress of the project and creating transparency that was sorely missing. The measure was vehemently opposed by RTM Democrats and it failed.
Find all of our candidates Q&As here.
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