Republican Mayoral Candidate Calls for Change

A Call for Change in a New Direction

Many of our Naugatuck residents and businesses are struggling financially to make ends meet and still meet the additional tax burden that this administration, under the mayor’s leadership, has imposed year after year. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the tax-and-spend philosophy, which has crippled our Borough for far too long. 

In the Sept. 18, 2013 article, by the Waterbury Republican American newspaper, even a new Democratic candidate for burgess (Jimmy Ayash) was quoted as saying, “For the size of town that we have, we have too many commitments, and we’re spending too much money.” This same person also felt that, “[in] the municipal budget there’s a lot more room for change.”

I will work with every individual in identifying and addressing where we can save money, consolidate services, consolidate purchasing powers, and get this Borough back in the right direction. 

Throughout this campaign, I have met many residents and business owners and I have yet to meet someone who believes our town is headed in the right direction. In my first term, I am calling for an end to the tax-and-spend policies of the current administration, in order to provide some much needed tax relief to our residents and businesses. We need to get back to the basics and make common sense decisions. The Naugatuck community deserves a new common sense leader, future and vision. 

Regardless of my party affiliation, I am for the "Naugatuck Party,” which consists of the residents and business owners in town who want to see a positive change and a leader willing to do it. I will restore the trust and confidence that is needed for people to feel like this is a town they can still afford to live in and grow in economically. 

In my first month in office, I will meet with every department head to determine what can be done to reach these goals and how we can work together. I will also speak to as many employees as possible, because they know what is actually happening on a daily basis. As a union member myself, I have the unique perspective and ability to work in a fair and equitable manner to balance the financial challenges that this town faces while protecting the rights of the employees. 

Once elected, I look forward to working with a team of individuals who say, “we can do this,” and not individuals who say, “our hands are tied, we can’t do anything else.” The latter message is disheartening to the residents and businesses alike. 

In the coming days, I will expand on some of my additional ideas outlined below in order to help foster the growth of Naugatuck: 

• My office will have an open door policy where every resident is welcomed.
• Implement the ability to pay taxes and other town fees online.
• Streamline our permit processes and make our town more business friendly.
• Increase our high school graduation rate. 
• Examine and address the 15 percent voter turnout requirement for referendums.
• Allow the Finance Board and Mayor and Burgesses to vote on the budget as a whole and not just on individual departments, before being adopted. 

Keep watching my website: www.JimForNaugatuck.com