Hamden Democratic Primary: Leng Seeks Mayoral Nomination

HAMDEN, CT — Incumbent Democratic Mayor Curt Balzano Leng is seeking a fourth full-term in office through a primary election.

Former Legislative Councilwoman Lauren Garrett, 40, received the Democratic Town Committee's endorsement in July.

Leng, 47, didn’t seek the party’s endorsement and gathered the necessary signatures to get on the ballot. Peter Cyr also petitioned his way onto the ballot.

Garrett forced a primary against Leng in 2019 after he received the party's endorsement by a 34-27 margin. Leng won the primary election by winning each of the nine voting districts.

Patch asked the candidates to answer questions about their campaigns ahead of the primary, which is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 14.

Mayor Curt Balzano Leng

Experience:

• Long time civic activist
• Former East Side Civic Association VP
• Former Co-Chair, State Street Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ)
• Legislative Councilman, 8 years (6 years representing 6th District and 2 years At-Large)
• Hamden Director of Government Operations with former Mayor Amento (1999-2002)
• Hamden Community Development Manager
• Community Development Compliance Officer, Promoted to Acting Director of Community Development (Bridgeport)
• Small business owner (2004-2009) grant consultant and also had collectibles store
• Hamden Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), (2009-2015)
• Mayor since May, 2015 - Current
• Member of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Board of Directors
• Board Member, South Central Regional Council of Governments
• Member, Hamden Food Security Task Force

Why did you decide to run for office?

A feeling of responsibility to serve and help our residents. First, by working with an exceptional professional team of emergency management, development and finance managers all working to ensure Hamden is protected and building the strength and stability needed as we fight our way out of a global pandemic.

Hamden is in a financial position that’s stronger than over a decade and which allows us to ensure services our residents count on and deserve. This took a lot of work, but we are stable and stronger.

I know we can come out of this unprecedented time stronger, ready to have our residents’ backs in times of challenge and continuing to build on the best financial strength we’ve had as a Town in over a decade.

What are the three top issues facing the town?

⁃ Continuing to help all our residents in times of need and challenge, from severe weather, to the global pandemic, to fight to protect all out residents and neighborhoods with focused community & prevention based police services and added presence to deter crime;

⁃ Building on the financial stability we’ve achieved to work to now lower our too high mill rate;

⁃ Work with the Board of Education to save two neighborhood elementary schools from being closed, helping hundreds of families and ensuring long term value for both the Church Street and Sheperd Glen Neighborhoods.

What are some strategies you would use to address those issues?

⁃ Working to implement a full time mental health and social worker support system to complement our police and fire response system;

⁃ Continue fully funding our Town Pension, which now holds over $200M and is stable, well funded and less expensive thanks to cost cutting work accomplished;

⁃ By expanding the youth and social service programming that can benefit every family in Hamden, give our neighbors in need a hand and be the prevention tool we owe if we are being good stewards of our community.

What makes you a good leader and the right fit to hold the town’s top office - Good judgement, strength and all-in commitment in times of crisis or challenge, the experience and professional team to protect and build upon the services our town provides and what we can provide and achieve in the years ahead.