My name is Oni and I'm running as a petition candidate for mayor.

This coming East Haven mayoral election is not about whether a Democratic or the Republican candidate wins, for what is quite apparent and should make us ponder is who ultimately loses.

For if our notorious decades-old reputation means anything, and it should, then it must be abundantly clear: it is us. All of us who lives and work in East Haven are the ones who inevitably have to suffer.

If low property taxes alone, fundamentally determine the sentimental appeal of a community or a neighborhood, then why do East Haven real estate properties not be perceived as equal in allure and value with our neighbors along the Long Island shore?

The answer is really quite simple. Perception, for perception, is a reality for most of us.

East Haven’s image or more succinctly its reputation is perceived at a level that does not rise to the standard that evokes positive and comforting thoughts. A gloomy picture that sadly, creates uneasy feelings that discourages more than it soothes.

And in that atmosphere, many opportunities for progress and advancement are lost.

To this day there is that visceral fear of encountering racism and xenophobia in town that inhibits more than encourage economic growth. And it exists in peoples mind whether we believe it does or not.

And the question it asks remains; should we not commit to erasing that image if nothing else but to show our shoreline neighbors, who we truly are?

We have a government that is inept, insensitive and corrupt; shallow in depth and insular in its views, which tolerates willful negligence and malfeasance in its ranks.

In fact, it glorifies those it likes by giving it pay raises.

Beyond that, consider the thousands of dollars we’ve spent “defending” appalling behavior because we are hostages of our own government. Is that why we pay taxes for?

I view this upcoming election not as a political race but as a fight for the heart and mind of East Haven and beyond. And towards that end, I am running as a petition candidate for the office of the Mayor of our town.

My goal ever since my genesis in the politics of our government is simple. I want to help make our town a better place than when we found it, which endeavor my wife and I started and have achieved with a measurable degree of success here in our neighborhood. So for me, this is a continuation.

And if you believe as I do that we have to change our image, to provide a better future for our children and those who have yet to be born, then join me in this noble pursuit and let’s change it. Help me, help us.

I don’t know the author of this aphorism but its wisdom is priceless.

“Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me. The secret of getting ahead is getting started. Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.

If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed. Either I will find a way, or I will make one. Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. You can never quit. Winners never quit, and quitters never win.

Don't give up. Don't lose hope. Don't sell out. I don't believe you have to be better than everybody else. I believe you have to be better than you ever thought you could be.”

Oni Sioson

12 Wilkenda Ave.

IntegrityforEastHaven@gmail.com