Taxes
- Norwalk is forced to raise about 90% of its budget on its own, compared with less than 60% for cities like Bridgeport and Hartford. Why? Because of the state’s redistribution of sales taxes collected here in Norwalk.
Unfair? Yes, but it is where we are and what we have to deal with. Only the state legislature and the governor can change this. We are limited by state statute to taxing Real Estate and Personal Property (cars, etc.) and we get a small benefit from the conveyance tax, but that is it, outside of the minimal fees collected.
The revaluation process is a state mandated and driven process that is intended to ensure proportional valuation and is not a function of the common council.
Continued Reasonable Development
- We must continue to use the Planning and Zoning functions to guard against over-development and incent the proper types of mixed-used sustainable development. Zoning is a double edged sword, meant to enable business and to protect residents.
We must balance the need to speed approval of appropriate businesses while safeguarding homeowners and the environment. Reckless calls for change for change’s sake are nonsense. Zoning approved 1100 applications last year and has a process that is second to none in the region for speed, all while respecting individual rights.
Information Systems
- I will advocate for continued reasonable acquisition of IT Systems to support decision making. Without adequate analysis, it is not possible to make decisions with any certainty. To do proper analysis, we need data.
Community Policing
- Crime is down in our city, but as a result of the continued economic downturn there are still certain types of crimes we need to be ever vigilant about combating. I have taken the time to have discussions with the police department and have toured the entire operation, meeting with officers at every level, discussing their concerns.
My father was a police officer for 32 years and this is near and dear to my heart. I support continued expansion of police capabilities, especially as related to technological ways to combat crime and gang violence.
Knowledge and Representation
- It is extremely important to have a network of contacts across the city in various organizations and a knowledge of various city agencies, charities, organizations, clubs and an ability to work with others across boundaries. I pride myself on my large group of friends and contacts within the greater Norwalk Area. I belong to a number of charitable and social organizations personally and my experiences as a Zoning Commissioner have allowed me to go through virtually every neighborhood in Norwalk. Representing a District means setting aside your own agenda and taking up that which is best for your constituents.