East Haven Election 2021: Joseph A. Carfora Running For Mayor

EAST HAVEN, CT — The state Municipal Election is Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Patch contacted candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Democrat Joseph A. Carfora, 59, is running for reelection as East Haven mayor.

Occupation: Mayor Of East Haven

Family: Joe Carfora, engaged to Rose Deieso, has two children, Kelli and Joseph Carfora Jr. And, I'm a new grandfather to his newborn granddaughter, Eisley.

Experience: Town Council Member, District 3

Family in government: No.

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

Of course, nothing is more important than working every day to make sure that we as a community protect ourselves, our first responders, frankly our entire community from the spread of COVID 19. But in reality, I am not sure that I can identify a single most-pressing issue because from the safety of our citizens, to our finances, our infrastructure, to the education of our most precious assets, our children, deserve a most important, and most-pressing moniker. With that being said, I will initially address finances, along with the town’s dated and neglected infrastructure. Both were in disarray when I took office two years ago. I inherited deficit budgets from the prior Republican administration that depleted the town’s fund balance. We also inherited buildings that were in such disrepair, they needed to be closed for safety reasons.

I am very proud to say that the Carfora administration presented two budgets that received unanimous bi-partisan approval from the Board of Finance (all Republicans and all Democrats voted in favor). We also received bi-partisan approval for those same budgets from the Town Council. So, it is clear that we have town finances moving in a positive and responsible direction. As for the infrastructure, we have developed a plan to address the closed ice rink, and we will be doing the same for our town pool; both to be addressed substantially with grant funds in a responsible, and appropriate, fashion.

I would be remiss if I did not mention public safety, and the protection of our residents. We must always —and I have in both budgets — provide our first responders with the tools to do their jobs in protecting the community. Police and fire will always have me as an advocate; while I am Mayor, I will always have their back. I am extremely proud and honored that the East Haven Police Union has endorsed my candidacy for Mayor.

Clearly the airport expansion is of much concern to the residents of East Haven, and to me, as it should be. As I have always stated, I intend to see to it that East Haven has a full seat at the table and that our boards, commissions, and the public will all have a place. Our community will not have this decision placed solely on its back.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I see East Haven as a regional leader, my goal is to make it a shining example for other communities in many municipal areas. My opponent has run for mayor 4 times, as a Republican, a Democrat and as an Independent and has lost each time. I am not sure what his positions are at this point, so comparison is impossible, but my vision for this town is clear.

Accomplishments:

Leadership matters. The mayor’s job requires someone who can make tough decisions that are in the best interest of the town of East Haven. One needs to look no further for evidence that I can handle the job than my approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. We faced an unprecedented situation. But I immediately issued a town state of emergency, took steps to prepare and protect our first responders, Town Hall work force, and Public Works department. And then we went to work to build platforms, so that our business of government could provide what was essential to the continuation of business in town. We had to protect our first responders and public works crews by creating segregated teams/shifts so that cross contamination and exposure did not become an issue. From negotiation with our labor unions, to creating a complete virtual budget process, my team led this community through some very concerning times. Leadership matters and requires the guts to make the sometimes very tough decisions. I have done that throughout my first term.

We are getting it done. We are securing our future with strong leadership, always.

As your Mayor, and I will continue to be the positive voice this community deserves.

Other issues:

When I’m reelected, I will keep moving forward in a fiscally responsible way—which we are doing. Also, to continue to methodically address the decades-long deficiency in our physical infrastructure. We are excited to get the rink up and running, and we’ve been working hard to obtain funding for a community pool, as well as the completion of the final phase of our West End Street Improvement project. Our Public Works department has been remarkable. I look forward to continuing to address our open space issues, and park rehabilitation.

We are positioning ourselves for smart, and responsible economic development.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I work every day to bring integrity, and a sense of pride back to our town. This is a wonderful community of hardworking people, and they deserve someone who has great respect for them.