Marc on the Issues
As property values rise and the burden on seniors living on fixed-incomes grows, we as a city must help find relief. I believe that there are two ways that we can help in the short term. First, we should increase the current property tax rebate for Norwalk’s seniors. Secondly, we should offer an annual property tax deferral (up to 75%) for seniors to be paid back to the city upon the eventual sale of their estates. I propose that the losses in tax revenue caused by these programs be supplemented by the city’s current surplus. Seniors deserve our support and property tax relief is a strong way of showing it.
Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) is an international consortium of communities working to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. Nearly 300 US cities have signed on, and over a dozen Connecticut cities are involved. Fairfield, Stamford, New Britain, New Haven, Hartford, and Westport are among the Connecticut cities that have made commitments to improve their cities environments. Where is Norwalk?
As the sixth largest city in the state, we need to make sure that our city is leading the way in energy efficiency and in implementing greener technologies. This is not simply a matter of cleaning up our air, or doing our part to curb global warming; this is about smart government and saving Norwalk’s taxpayers’ money.
By evaluating and retrofitting our existing municipal buildings and schools with energy efficient technologies and ensuring that all new development meet LEED Silver energy standards, Norwalk has an opportunity to reduce its annual energy expenditures dramatically. Our city can potentially save over 10% in energy costs by upgrading our city’s buildings.
Funding is available from the state and federal government and the local utility to aid in conducting this research and to implement the necessary changes to help Norwalk create a cleaner environment that will also save taxpayers money.
It is in our city’s interest to work with active local organizations, public agencies, and local corporations to offer a comprehensive city teen program.
Norwalk’s youth are the future of our city, and their success and desire to live and raise families in Norwalk is essential to the health of our community. If elected to the Common Council, I will fight to find funding, both public and private, to create a teen program for the youth of our city. We should create a new facility or expand an existing facility that will offer after-school tutoring, sports and recreation, and job and college counseling to a larger portion of Norwalk’s teen population. I also believe that we should expand the teen summer work program. Norwalk, in conjunction with area businesses, can greatly benefit by expanding this program. By offering a positive alternative to roaming the streets, Norwalk will create a more established workforce while also giving our youth a chance to shine.
Through reaching out to corporations in Norwalk, current non-profit organizations and a joint effort with various Fairfield County colleges and universities, Norwalk can create a teen program that other municipalities will look to as a leading example.
As a member of the Common Council, I will work to ensure that the Board of Education has adequate funding to meet the needs of our city’s younger generation. We need to provide our children with the tools necessary to compete in the 21st century. From our elementary schools to our high schools, we must keep up with technology as it evolves and improves. A high quality public school system does more than keep our children on the cutting edge, it will help attract businesses and professionals with families to settle in Norwalk.
Additionally, I believe that it is essential that the BOE and the Common Council work closer together as we develop a plan for our city’s schools. I will support the motion to institute regularly scheduled, joint meetings between the BOE and the Council. I believe that this is a necessary step that will lead to a more cohesive and transparent educational system for our city.
The Common Council must implement a strategic long-term plan for infrastructure improvements. We cannot afford to use a Band-Aid, “responsive” method to meet our city’s infrastructure needs. The council must review the Plan of Conservation and Development, recently released by the Planning Commission and decide exactly how we should move forward as a city. In the short term we must address the issue of flooding that is facing many of our neighborhoods and work to encourage new, responsible development to improve and revitalize our downtown areas.
I strongly believe in a living wage. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Equality means dignity. And dignity demands a job and a paycheck that lasts through the week”. I will use the weight of my seat on the common council to voice my support of a real living wage for working families in our city and state.
