In Fiery Mayoral Debate, Carfora & Tracey Spar

EAST HAVEN, CT — In a packed auditorium Tuesday night, there was decorum, until there wasn't.

The debate between Democrat Joe Carfora, Republican 'Big Steve' Tracey and Independent Bonifacio "Oni" Sioson Jr., was moderated by Vinnie Penn of WELI.

"You suck!" yelled a person in the audience at one point during a fiery speech from Carfora, followed up with finger-pointing and yelling by both Carfora and Tracey on the controversial Sperry Lane affordable housing development project, likely headed to court, and on accusations about past-due taxes. A back-and-forth between Carfora and Republican Town Committee chair Bob Parente, some of which has been seen here on Patch through Op-Eds on Carfora tax delinquencies, appeared to come to a head Tuesday night.

Where there was agreement

What the men agreed on was that the town needs to address blight, both using the word "disgusting" when characterizing conditions in the city.

Carfora said as mayor he'd hire a full time blight officer and pay that salary with fines collected from cited residents.

On the question of raising taxes, all three agreed to hold the line on and increase. Carfora called Connecticut the "tax me state," and vowed no new taxes. "Our residents today are suffering from a big tax burden. Our residents today cannot handle any more taxes. We have to do every single thing to make sure to budget responsibly and fight the state of Connecticut for our full share" to ease property tax burdens.

Tracey said he's not for tax hikes: "No, I don't want to ever raise taxes. I own four or five properties in town and I definitely do not want to raise taxes," he said.

On Sanctuary cities, and East Haven police policy not to assist ICE, Tracey said he opposed sanctuary city status and supported police assistance with federal immigration. Carfora did not address working with ICE specifically but said he would not "handcuff" officers. Sioson, an immigrant from the Philippines and a U.S. Navy veteran, said he supported Sanctuary city status.

Tracey said he's running because, "I'm invested in East Haven." He said he owns property in the town, began his business in the town, raised his family in the town, noting all his children attended East Haven schools.

Carfora vowed to have a transparent mayoral administration and focus on returning the town to its original "glory." Carfora owns and operates Carfora Carriers LLC, a petroleum transporter. He serves as third district councilman.

Tracey said he's "invested wants to keep taxes low and attract new business to East Haven. He moved to East Haven 20 years ago and operates DiAdamo & Tracey Bail Bonds. He's a fourth district councilor.

Sioson said he is focused on changing the "reputation" of East Haven and working towards a creating a "clean slate" for the community. He served on the East Haven Board of Education and the Democratic Town Committee.