Election 2023: Carfora Remarks From East Haven Mayoral Debate

Submitted by East Haven Mayoral candidate, Incumbent Democrat, Joseph A. Carfora:

Opening statement

I want to emphasize the importance of proven leadership. A well-thought-out plan is crucial, and my administration has consistently demonstrated this commitment. We've navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic which no one had a playbook for, --- we painstakingly worked to recover from the financial mess left behind by the Maturo Administration, we prioritized education, and provided unprecedented support to our police and fire departments which has led to the police union endorsing my campaign in the past and most recently the endorsement of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut.

We've completely rebuilt, and continue to revitalize, our recreation department.
Effective leadership goes beyond just having a plan a dedicated team and their support is needed to carry it out. Not only in the day-to-day administrative responsibilities… but also collaboration with our Board of Finance and our Town Council.

Over the past four years, we've presented several ideas and plans to the Board of Finance and to the Town Council, and they've voted on hundreds of measures to support our vision. It should be noted the Board of Finance is made up of both Republicans and Democrats---- and Samantha Parlato, was on the Town Council the entire time.
From 2020 until now, our accomplishments have been significant. We created an IT department for the first time in our town’s history, we implemented a modern phone system, we invested in PW to replace old, worn-out and unsafe vehicles and equipment.

Due to the financial mess left behind by the prior republican administration we had to make some tough decisions. We refinanced bonds, created a methodical plan for much needed building improvements, but still committed to providing our public safety personnel with the tools that they need to do their jobs. Grant funding was used to beautify and revitalize our town green and our town beach. Grant funding was also used to restore fields and to replace old – non-compliant playground equipment with new ADA compliant playscapes.

Hayes School… home to YMCA, the Boy Scouts, Arts Commission, Youth Services, the Recreation
Department and the historical society. We renovated, repurposed rooms, installed new carpet, painted and installed internet… and now it functions as a multi youth services center and will soon serve as East Haven’s Teen Center.

Parlato has some strange “NO” votes. She voted against our budget that included staffing increases to both the police and fire departments, even with her knowing that our call volumes were up almost 30%. On April 7, 2020, she abstained on a vote to fund our plan to obtain a police emergency van. My administration does not waiver on public safety – Period!

Since 2020, and in our subsequent annual budgets, she voted in alignment with my administration
approximately 99 percent of the time. She supported almost every project and plan that we put before the TC such as hiring SLAM to complete the ice rink. Though, strangely, she voted against our budget that earmarked close to a million dollars to make sure that our teachers were not only paid fairly, but in alignment with surrounding towns so we wouldn’t lose them to higher paying districts—Honestly, I am perplexed. Samantha hasn't opposed my agenda very often. Hardly ever-- but her few "no" votes were against public safety, and she opposed funding for our teachers. I should be thanking her for her overwhelming support, if it wasn’t so bizarre that she voted against proposals that fund police, fire and teachers.

Leadership isn't just about election time; it's about consistently making tough decisions. I've been willing to do that, and I'll continue to do so, regardless of the time of year.

Thank you, Vinnie, I appreciate your time and look forward to answering your questions.

Closing statement

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for joining us tonight.

We've heard a lot about leadership and direction. Leadership is not just about having the experience to navigate the present; it's also about having the vision to chart the course for a brighter future. My administration works daily to meet residents’ needs with that vision towards the future of East Haven.

Over the past four years, we have shown steadfast commitment, tackling the challenges of the
pandemic, recovering from the previous administration’s financial mess, rebuilding our long-ignored infrastructure and prioritizing key revitalization areas of our community. All while growing our fund balance. All of this is being recognized by independent evaluators. Standard and Poors’ just upgraded our financial outlook to positive. We’ve brought it all the way from poor when I took office.

And the Rt. 80 corridor is gaining a monumental economic development addition with the exciting Starbucks, Chipotle, 5 Guys and Go Health package to be built on the former season’s property. This project is a testament to the new, respected, and stable East Haven. Companies like these do wide-ranging due diligence -- they move with a methodical and an informed pace. We’ve worked with the developer to let them know East Haven is right for them---and they agree! These types of companies also open the eyes of other like-minded quality groups too!

Our achievements are significant, from establishing our town's first-ever IT department to investing in public works, improving our infrastructure, supported our police and fire departments and committed to our teachers. We used grant funding to beautify and revitalize our town, turning underutilized spaces into vibrant community assets.

These victories don’t happen by accident. It’s through hard work, dedication, and discipline.
I've collaborated with the Town Council, Board of Finance, and all town organizations to elevate the quality of life for East Haven residents. It's a tribute to our vision and commitment that we've garnered support from both Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated. I have worked in a non-partisan way to make sure that East Haven thrives. And I point to a recent quote from Republican State Representative Joe Zullo: “I truly believe we have elevated our local politics in recent years, with credit due to officials and candidates on all sides of the aisle for keeping the temperature down, sticking to the issues, striving for bipartisanship, and refusing to politicize the most impactful of issues facing our community.”

Joe, I cannot agree with you more and I look forward to our continued collaboration.
In addition, we have earned endorsements in the past from the East Haven police union, and presently from the uniformed professional fire fighter’s association, a group that represents East Havens uniformed firefighters., the New Haven Building Trades Union-Local 478 the Operating Engineer’s union, and the Western CT Area labor federation—AFL/CIO. These are proud moments not only for me, but also for our hard-working community.

"Remember, effective leadership is about results and a strong team, not just words, hopes and dreams.”
Leadership matters. Experience matters. And my Team brings that. If you want to continue to see progress in East Haven, Vote Row A on November 7th. We need your vote!

Thank you for your time and attention during this debate.