Enfield Patch Questions the Candidates: Town Council District 1

Earlier this month, Enfield Patch sent a series of questions to all 25 candidates on the ballot for the Enfield Town Council and Board of Education. Beginning last Friday and continuing today through this Friday, the responses from the candidates will be published.

Today will feature comments from candidates for Town Council in District 1.

Key: D - Democrat; R - Republican; I - Incumbent

Question 1: What ideas do you have to stimulate business growth in Enfield, particularly in the re-use of the town’s numerous empty commercial properties?

Joe Bosco (R-I): As much as folks say we have many empty commercial properties we have less than other communities and have many opportunities for new and exciting business in our town. We need to remember, government does not make jobs it can only provide the rules and support for business and jobs.

As a member of the town council we have strived to streamline the areas where “red tape” can slow down businesses opening in Enfield. We have worked on getting our building codes and our zoning codes less difficult. The council has kept our taxes relatively stable without jeopardizing our services. We have tried and will continue to work at keeping our process for businesses helpful and friendly. We know that getting permits and plans through the process can be difficult, but we must remember this is our town and we must not harm our neighbors when a new business wants to come to town.

We need to be open to the business owners requests, but not make the homeowner who lives next to the business suffer. Buffers and lighting and overbuilding a parcel of land doesn’t just help a business it harms the long term of Enfield. We have seen this during the “urban renewal” phase of Enfield and we are still suffering from that lack of long-term planning.

John Foxx (D): I would look at public/private partnerships and grants that support revitalization efforts by promoting independent business initiatives for minority and women owned businesses in some locations.

Question 2: There has been considerable talk about bringing a casino to town. Do you feel a casino would be good or bad for the town, and why?

Foxx: The casino would be a bad thing for Enfield, because so many residents have very strong negative views about having one here. It would change the way they feel about their choice to live here and it may affect other people’s choice to relocate here as well. The stigma and the actual numbers concerning the negative effects are hard to ignore and those kinds of issues are very hard to mitigate even if the casino proposal came with a large municipal payment to the town each year. I am optimistic that the mall will be repurposed for something very useful to the town and provide some of the same economic benefits we were hearing about from the casino executives.

Bosco: We lack enough information to make a decision on the casino. I’m not one who makes “knee jerk” decisions when it comes our Town. I want to be sure we understand the long term effects something we obviously lacked when we took part in “urban renewal” back in the 70s.

Question 3: What do you feel is the biggest priority item for District 1, and if elected, what is your plan to deal with it?

Bosco: The economy – Having been on the council and worked on our budgets I know that fiscal management is the most important part of the job. The families and businesses depend on us to provide high quality services but consistent management of our budget. Rising costs for all services requires us to spend our tax dollars as if they were coming from our own bank accounts. I understand this and I champion this attitude.

This is why I strongly suggest the residents of Enfield support the referendum questions on this year’s ballot which will make huge gains in the town and district 1. By passing these referendums we will be able to upgrade the sewer plant and all the town buildings with a very low cost or no cost to the taxpayer. I know that our district residents will see a benefit and value added by supporting these referendum and I want to be there as the councilman making sure those dollars are spent wisely and as this council has promised.

Foxx: The biggest issue is keeping Enfield and District 1 affordable for people on fixed incomes and super tight family budgets.

Question 4: Tell us as briefly as possible why District 1 residents should vote for you (NOT why they shouldn’t vote for your opponent).

Foxx: The people in District 1 should vote for me, because I will actively keep them informed on important issues facing their District and I will be a strong voice for their concerns. Also, I will develop initiatives that will make the District and Enfield as a whole more attractive to prospective home owners and small businesses that are already working in other towns.

Bosco: My family has lived here for over 100 years. Enfield offers abundant recreation, shopping and is a good place to do business with my neighbors.

As a life long Enfield resident and business owner, I have dedicated myself to Enfield’s success and want taxpayers to receive the services they deserve. My Town Council experience resulted in improved roads, sidewalk and infrastructure repairs for District 1, but most of all my complete concern for any of their issues.

I listen to the calls, emails and visits to my shop from my neighbors. I understand and act on their problems from fixing a pothole, to getting the street light fixed and a road that is causing problems for local businesses.

I don’t take my position on the council for granted and I ask the Enfield residents in District 1 for vote on November 3rd because I will continue to listen, work and appreciate the opportunity to be their councilman.

Click here to see the official 2015 Enfield election ballot.

Related Stories:

Enfield Patch Questions the Candidates: Town Council At-large

Enfield Patch Questions the Candidates: Board of Education