Enfield Patch Questions the Candidates: Town Council District 4

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 4.

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?

Ed Deni (D-I): We are not business friendly. We just hired a new town planner to help resolve some of these issues. We need to get Planning and Zoning and the Building Department all on the same page and we need to bring in new businesses while keeping other businesses here. I think we need to also have a marketing program to help with advertising.

Donna Dubanoski (R): As a realtor I know exactly how many commerical properties are available and it isn’t as many as you think. Like all towns, Enfield isn’t any different when it comes to commercial space. This is a commodity that ebbs and flows as business come, expand and go. Yes, we have lost a large business like Hallmark, but we gain with businesses like AutoZone. What we find in the real estate business is to become a “fit” when a company wants to move and realizes what their needs are and finds Enfield fills the bill.

We know that keeping our infrastructure in good shape is very important, so the referendum on the ballot will do just that with the upgrade of our sewage plant. We know keeping our roads and sidewalks in good shape is important and we continually do that and have since Roads 2000 and now with Roads 2015…we keep upgrading and improving our roads and we are trying to get ahead of this work rather than fall behind like we did before Roads 2000.

We know that keeping our housing inventory in good order – reasonably priced, clean and safe neighborhoods, good schools, people with great attitudes (like your current council and board of ed members), a willingness to have new ideas brought forward (like the dog park) – finding good people to volunteer to be on the town council, board of ed or other boards and commissions – makes for a good town…makes for a great Enfield – and gives me the chance to give back to a community I grew up in and stayed here my whole life.

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?

Dubanoski: After walking district 4 and listening to the people, the overall consensus is they do not want a casino in Enfield. I feel that the traffic on Elm Street today or during the holiday season is horrendous; I can only imagine what it would be like with 10,000 to 12,000 additional cars. I believe businesses like the Home Depot, Costco, Kohl’s and Best Buy all of whom have been a huge part of our community will not benefit from the casino or its traffic.

Deni: Most of the residents I have spoken to are not in favor of the casino. I don’t believe we have enough information at this point to say whether it will be a benefit to Enfield or not. I will do what the residents want though.

Question 3: What do you feel is the biggest priority item for District 4, and if elected, what is your plan to deal with it?

Deni: I think that the biggest issue is economic development and filling the empty buildings in my district. We need to attract businesses to our town and work to keep the businesses we have here. We can do that by advertising and getting our Planning and Zoning as well as our Building Department to work together to do this.

Dubanoski: The high school merger will be a priority; to be sure that the construction and the merger are on schedule. Also, with the upgrades at Brainerd Park, the ongoing road work, the sewer and sidewalk upgrades. If the referendum on the ballot is approved, the critical maintenance to our school facilities, the security enhancements and the utility improvements needed for all town buildings will move forward. I want to be part of that team that makes sure that the promises made to the Enfield residents on the use of these referendum dollars is spent wisely, efficiently and make the upgrades a reality.

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

Dubanoski: I want to be sure we take care of our school facilities, keep our current buildings up to date, and enhance the security (hardening) of our schools is done. We must make sure to act prudently when (or if) it comes to realigning our schools because without public involvement there is a chance of potential over crowding in our classrooms.

I believe a councilor must listen more, talk less, and act appropriately. During my door knocking for this office, flippant comments (for example against the referendum) were discussed and many people found the comments unsettling and worry some. I will not be a councilor who doesn’t wait to hear from my neighbors for their ideas. I want to be open and available to all the district’s residents. I want to be the voice of my neighbors to be sure that any problems or need in district 4 are handled promptly and I know that I will make a councilor that District 4 can be proud of and believe in.

Deni: I have served on the Town Council for District 4 for the last 2 years and have worked hard for the residents in my District. I have lived here all of my life and am very passionate about our town. The town has many issues that aren’t being solved and I want to move the process forward to get things done. I want to bring positive change and continue to be responsive to the citizens in my district.

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: Town Council District 1

Enfield Patch Questions the Candidates: Board of Education

Reminder: Deadline for Election Letters is Wednesday Night