LTE: Republican Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency

The following Letter to the Editor is by Fairfield RTC Chair Laura Devlin and Vice Chair Mike Grant:

To the Editor:

On Wednesday, April 2nd, the Democrat-controlled Board of Finance pushed through First Selectman Gerber’s budget, choosing increased spending and bureaucracy over responsible governance. While there were moments of bipartisanship—such as increasing education funding, adjusting revenue projections to ease the tax burden, and adding a critical Risk Manager position—the majority of decisions fell along party lines. Once again, one-party rule has failed to deliver the accountability and fiscal responsibility Fairfield deserves.

We are incredibly proud of our Republican Board of Finance members, Mary LeClerc, Jim Meyers, Amy Ruggiero, and Jim Walsh who stood firm in advocating for transparency and financial responsibility throughout the budget process. Together, they:

✅ Prioritized education over bureaucracy after First Selectman Bill Gerber's historic cut, restoring $1 million to the Board of Education budget—more than Democrats proposed—to protect student programs, honor teacher contracts, and cover essential costs like busing, leaving Kevin Starke (D) as the only member voting against. Republicans offset this responsibly by identifying realistic revenue increases in the Town Clerk’s Office and Building Department, reflecting actual trends in fee collections and demand, providing a smart alternative to arbitrary tax hikes.

✅ Exposed the Gerber Administration’s raid on the Parking Authority, calling out a blatant “money grab” and insisting that it remain a self-sustaining fund, not a bailout for budget shortfalls.

✅ Proposed responsible cuts to a bloated Town Hall budget to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers—proposals that the Democrat majority dismissed outright.

✅ Fought to fully fund the Police Department’s budget request to strengthen public safety amid rising crime—another critical measure rejected by Democrats.

This budget includes a 2.12% tax increase, but beneath the surface, it hides over $10 million in questionable financial maneuvers—including raiding $4 million designated for the fill pile cleanup, draining internal service funds, seizing commuter-funded Parking Authority revenues, and increasing reliance on borrowing, effectively maxing out the town’s credit cards. These reckless decisions will leave future generations footing the bill while depleting the Town’s rainy day fund.

Even more concerning is the lack of transparency and leadership throughout this process. Last-minute changes—like the sudden addition and removal of a six-figure Registrar of Voters position—highlight a chaotic and unaccountable approach to governance.

Your voices are making a difference. Your emails and messages have been critical in holding our elected officials accountable, even as some Democrat responses exposed the arrogance of unchecked power. As the budget moves to the RTM, we urge you to stay engaged and continue to demand transparency, accountability, and sound financial management for Fairfield.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we will fight for responsible leadership that puts taxpayers first.

Laura Devlin, RTC Chair

Mike Grant, RTC Vice Chair