Hamden Candidate Profile: Cesare For Legislative Council

HAMDEN, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Hamden and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Hamden Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Austin Cesare is running for Legislative Council At-Large as a Republican.

Are you running for office in Hamden? Contact Vinnie Salzo at vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Hamden Patch.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

As a town government we have a spending issue not a revenue issue. Taxes are too high. We need to scrutinize our expenditures, extremely limit bid waivers to ensure we are getting the best prices for goods and services, and find better ways to provide services at a more cost-effective way. Taxpayers cannot keep footing the bill. We need to live within our means as a government.

Hamden is one of the highest taxed municipalities in the state. We need to rein in spending and grow our tax base to ease the tax burden on our residents.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience. I served on the Hamden Inland Wetlands Commission, Hamden Board of Education for 6 years, and as a Hamden Councilman at Large for 6 years. I was Council Minority leader for 4 years. I currently serve on the Fire Commission and School Building Committee.

I understand how local government works. I can offer constituents a voice of reason and expertise on the variety of issues facing our town.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Improving our Schools by providing teachers with funding necessary to do their jobs and teach our children.

Increasing beautification initiatives such as tree planting, streetscape improvements, and litter and blight removal. Improving Hamden’s appearance to potential businesses and residents looking to relocate here.

Promoting responsible economic development that will improve our tax base and quality of life.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

From my Dad, the late Councilman Frank Cesare: When in public service always return constituent phone calls, handle their issues as if they were your own, and when making decisions do what you know is right regardless of how or what others may think of you.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have been a public school teacher for 21 years. I am currently Chairman of the Social Studies Department at Joseph A. Foran High School, an Adjunct Professor at Sacred Heart University.

My family has been involved in the Hamden community and political arena for over 40 years. My Dad Frank was a Cub Scout Master and my Mom was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts at Church St School and neighborhood block watch organizer in Hamden Plains. My Dad was also 2nd District Councilman and Minority Leader. My brother Craig was Council Minority Leader and then appointed Public Works Director. My youngest brother Jon was a planning and zoning commissioner. My oldest brother Chris is an owner of a retirement and financial services company. My sister Heather is a public school teacher.