LTE: Fairfield Needs Steady, Community-Focused Leadership

To the Editor:

Fairfield is at an inflection point. A town-wide revaluation will reshape tax burdens, and with spending rising steadily under the current administration, history suggests another tax increase is likely. When assessments climb alongside spending, families pay the price.

Leadership matters. Experience matters. Judgment matters.

That’s why I support State Senator Tony Hwang for First Selectman.

Critics say Tony is “too visible,” dismissing his engagement as self-promotion. I see it differently. Showing up isn’t vanity, it’s service. Whether supporting local teams, attending community events, or volunteering at high school games, Tony is present because he’s part of this community. Visibility rooted in engagement and accessibility is a strength, not a flaw.

More importantly, leadership is measured by results. Tony’s record in the State Senate speaks for itself: championing affordability, environmental stewardship, public safety, and local control. He has worked across party lines to support fiscally responsible budgets, protect open space, strengthen coastal protections, and defend municipal zoning authority against one-size-fits-all mandates. These aren’t abstract policies - they shape Fairfield’s quality of life and financial health.

As we face revaluation’s impact, we need a leader who understands how policy decisions ripple through household budgets and small businesses. Someone who asks hard questions about spending before asking taxpayers for more. Tony Hwang brings that experience and discipline.

Fairfield doesn’t need less engagement from its leaders - it needs more, paired with transparency and fiscal responsibility. Tony has demonstrated all of these qualities throughout his career. At a time of financial uncertainty, he’s exactly where we need him: present, prepared, and committed to helping our community navigate the challenges ahead.

Mike Grant

Fairfield, CT