'We Have a Great Small Community'

First Selectman Steve Vavrek, 55, has held leadership positions throughout his life, from being 2nd command of the street patrol as a child and a captain of the Norwalk High School baseball team (in a season where he made All-City) to president of the Monroe Jaycees and regional commissioner of the AYSO.

"It seems like everything I've been involved in has always been in leadership — and chosen by my peers," Vavrek said during an interview in his Monroe Town Hall office Wednesday.

Vavrek, who is seeking a third-consecutive term, will be asking voters to choose him again this November. Though neither party officially endorsed its candidates, Dan Hunsberger, a Democrat on the Inland Wetlands Commission, announced his intention to challenge the incumbent Republican.

The first selectman touts a record that includes a five-year road improvement plan; infrastructure improvements at town hall and the police station with more planned for Monroe's schools; the establishment of a debt limit and two of the past three budgets passing on the first vote.

"A 1.72% average spending increase for everything we need, that's doggone good," Vavrek said.

However, this article will focus more on the background of the candidate himself.

Professional Life

Vavrek and Teri, his wife of close to 30 years, moved to Monroe 26 years ago.

"I wanted the land," he said of what attracted them to Monroe. "I grew up in Norwalk with not much land. I loved the park with the playing fields. And the school system. I liked what Monroe had to offer. I just liked the community feel."

The couple has two grown daughters, Jennifer and Jessica, who graduated from Monroe public schools.

Vavrek himself graduated from Norwalk High School and earned a B.S. in Industrial Technology-Graphic Arts from Central Connecticut State College.

In the private sector, Vavrek had been a bartender and a salesman for Brescome-Barton, Inc. He and his wife Teri were owners and publishers of Coffee News in Easton.

'Use Common Sense' 

Soon after moving to town, the Vavreks joined the Monroe Jaycees. Vavrek said the civic organization started what is now the Sprint for Monroe.

Vavrek went on to serve as volunteer coordinator for Kids Kreation, the wooden playground built near the tennis courts at Wolfe Park.

"If you look at the names on that plaque," he said of the playground, "a lot of those people are still involved with the town. It's always been a great town to get involved with."

Town Republican leaders noticed Vavrek's volunteer work with the Jaycees.

"Members of the Republican Party said, 'You know a lot of people. You're young. We want you to get involved,'" Vavrek recalls. "I've been a Republican my whole life."

President Ronald Reagan is a Republican Vavrek said he most looked up to.

"I just value smaller government," he said. "When people need a job, I believe in giving them a hand up, not a handout."

Vavrek said he supports the Monroe Food Pantry and Project Warmth in town as programs that help people get back on their feet.

The first selectman also has The WorkPlace provide job training in town and he said he's proud that Monroe became one of the first towns to host a satellite office for the Center for Women & Families.

"I like to get people involved," Vavrek said. "I believe in service above self. If you work hard, good things do happen. Treat others the way you want to be treated yourself and use common sense over politics and past practices when needed."

'Just Do It' 

In town government, Vavrek served on the Water Pollution Control Authority, the Trumbull-Monroe Health District, as vice chairman of the Town Council, on the Board of Finance and as vice chairman of the Parks & Recreation Commission.

Vavrek said people wanted him to run for first selectman, but that he was a caregiver for his mother, who since passed away. He eventually ran in 2009 and defeated incumbent Democrat, Thomas Buzi.

As first selectman, Vavrek is still involved with the Rotary Club, RYASAP, Relay for Life and other community groups and charity efforts. He's one of the first 100 men in the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

"Even when you're first selectman, you still volunteer a lot of reading to classes and help the Stepney Carnival," Vavrek said. "When people call you to help, you just do it."

"We have a great small community and I'm glad people still have faith in me to get things moving," Vavrek said.