East Haven Letter To The Editor

Letter to Editor;

There was a recent letter (6-27-18) written to the Editor at the East Patch by Marc Conte Sr. (Chairmen of East Haven Democratic Town Committee) and member of the Board of Finance stating led by the Democratic controlled board that they approved a 3 million dollar Bonding Package and that the Maturo administration had responded to the Democrats for town wide repairs and overdue neglected projects. Also mentioned that the Mayor just happened to float these appropriations before the election, as his timing was coincidental to the election and that everyone knew it.

Fact: Yes the Democrats along with their Republicans collegues on the BOF did vote to refer the Bonding Package to the Town Council for their review. This was a bipartisan vote with all Board members vested in sending this package for the TC review.

Fact: Overdue Projects and Neglected Repairs statement; lest one not forget eleven years ago, Mayor Maturo took over a town that had been controlled by a Democratic administration which put East Haven into a fiscal disaster with wasteful spending, depleting the "rainy day fund" hence a lowered town credit rating to BBB+. The Maturo administration now had to reinvent and implement new budgets which included town wide belt tightening on spending, had to start to rebuild the towns rainy day fund with the prospective of increasing our credit rating. While I agree these projects are long overdue and have not been at the top of the Administrations list, I do believe that they calculated correctly with the steps and processes that were put into place. Fast forward to 2017-2018, this administration has corrected the town's financial hardships, it's balanced budgets, it's increased it's rainy day fund from $200,000 in 2011 to over $5 million 2017. The S&P has increased the Credit rating to A+. Say what you want about this Mayor (and by the way you have had a lot to say in other letters that you written about the Joe) but East Haven has done good with his leadership. As to the timing of these appropriations, it's not coincidental, it's called good timing. This administration policies have come to fruition allowing us to finally move forward with this bonding giving the BOF the opportunity to vote moving the town into a better place.

A Democratic run state led by Governor Malloy; the last eight years of his administration or lack of here in Connecticut has been disastrous, his programs and out of control spending have failed the people in this state horribly. His policies have affected all communities, allowing manufacturing and companies to leave because of his large tax hikes reducing the employment , state budgets cuts which have decimated towns which has required towns to raise their taxes on residents. New Haven, prime example- again led by a Democratic Mayor Harp has raised their taxes 11% on its residents at the same times giving out raises to town employees, solid leadership ! With the proper planning and budgeting, East Haven has been able to withstand the financial hardships created by Malloy . So I would say to you Mr Conte, our mayor isn't perfect, then again I don't know who is, there have been mistakes and statements made in the past-- but We can say that he took over a town that in 2011 was in total disarray and made this town financially sound. As for your Democratic Party always putting the citizens first with safety and quality, I would say not with these credentials or history. Everyone Knows It !

Sincerely

Bob Schumitz