Unaffiliated Votes for Responsible Farmington and Civility

With the election for Farmington public offices one week away, I’m reminded of a favorite Eleanor Roosevelt’ quote: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”

For Unaffiliated ‘purple’ voters, the choice for Town Council this year is refreshingly clear. With our State in fiscal turmoil, it is now evident that Farmington dodged a bullet by rejecting the $184mm FHS referendum and choosing to live within our means. Rejection was a painful decision for everyone involved. None more so than the Responsible Farmington team (of parents) that had the courage to foretell the permanent damage that doubling our debt load and Moody’s credit downgrades would have on our community. As less responsible cities and towns now feel the impact of higher borrowing costs and face reductions to services without tax increases, Farmington emerges in the enviable position of preserving our education and public safety budgets and is more attractive to investment. Patience is already paying off.

Voters can thank Responsible Farmington for that gutsy leadership. Moving forward, the pragmatic policy proposals, fiscal maturity and professional skills of this synergistic team led by Jon Landry, Justin Bernier, Paul Cianci and Jeff Apuzzo clearly represents the most qualified management team to lead Farmington. Thanks to their courage, we remain in a position of strength to innovate solutions to the traffic congestion and education goals we all seek. Nancy Nickerson, who adds continuity and invaluable historical perspective is still our best choice for re-election as Council Chairperson to steer this team.

While the Democrats have offered an affable and energetic slate of individuals for Town Council, they are they have offered no concrete policy proposals to address key issues. Most simply agree with Responsible Farmington positions or offer general niceties that do not translate to actionable government. Most are fine individuals with sincere altruistic visions and ideas that will contribute to our community.

Unfortunately not everyone in this campaign remains as focused on constructive ideals as the Republican and Democratic candidates themselves. The ‘United Farmington’ PAC was founded by Erin Ross-Moses, Stacey Petrozella and Kurt Krauland specifically to defeat Republican/RF candidates who opposed the FHS referendum. Their smear tactics include bullying and intimidation on their website, in mailboxes, with signage and in the Farmington Valley Press using lies and innuendo against civic-minded volunteers with families, jobs and a long history of community service. They offer no constructive ideas or solutions. Their scorched-earth goal being to smear Republicans and support of Democratic candidates associated with ‘Farmington Future’, the biggest proponent of the FHS referendum. This uncivil behavior serves only to divide and debase our community. When children bully in our schoolyards we need look no further than parents who behave this way.

It is of course healthy to debate and one can respectfully disagree about ideas. The Republican and Democratic candidates have done their best to articulate their positions. On November 7th, this election will be based on how to best move Farmington forward and yes, find a responsible solution to FHS and all our schools. The proven results, experience and superior policy direction of Responsible Farmington and the high road they’ve taken with respect to personal attacks has earned my vote.