Hamden Election 2021: Andrew Tammaro Running For Council At-Large

HAMDEN, CT — The 2021 municipal election is heating up in Hamden with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 2 and cast their ballots for mayor, town clerk and seats on the legislative council and board of education.

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

Republican Andrew Tammaro, 23, is running for Legislative Council At-Large in Hamden.

Occupation:

Family: Dominic Tammaro, Father, Hamden; Maria Tammaro, Mother, Hamden; Robert Tammaro, Brother, New Haven (NHFD)

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

Public Safety. On the Council, I will always ensure that our Law Enforcement is fully funded, fully staffed, and fully equipped to keep Hamden safe for all residents. I plan to encourage Hamden’s youngest and most vulnerable residents to be active community servants. It is clear that getting young people invested in improving and serving their community, they become more well-rounded and engaged, and more likely to pursue careers in public service.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I believe I have a unique ability to understand the nuances of many of our Town’s most important issues and transform that into effective problem solving. I also believe that I can be a representative for our younger generation and exemplify a dedication for public service that I wish for all of Hamden’s future leaders.

Accomplishments:

I am lucky to have had a wealth of political experience as an undergraduate at local, state, and national levels in Hamden, Massachusetts, and Georgia respectively. Additionally, my undergraduate education — a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science from Stonehill College (Easton, MA) — has been integral in my development in politics as an intellectual, community servant, and communicator.

Other issues:

• Economic Development — I think it is vital that Hamden should be a model for economic development in the area. We need to strive to form useful partnerships between our Town and local businesses to encourage growth and capital investment in Hamden. Businesses are fleeing to neighboring towns at unexpected rates. Vacant storefronts line our commercial centers. This should be a ground-up approach — encouraging entrepreneurship in our schools, then making Hamden “open for business” with powerful incentives. Hamden should be on the forefront of emerging industries, like cannabis, which is set to make “economic landfall” in Connecticut next year.

• Fiscal Responsibility — It is imperative to the financial sustainability of our Town that we pass balanced, fair, and effective budgets, refuse to increase taxes, and still fully fund our most essential public services like police and fire.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I would like voters to know that I am unwavering in my principles and dedication to the Town of Hamden. I pride myself in my character and in the values that I have learned through my extensive Catholic education and from my family. Most of all and I strive to be the most faithful public servant possible to the people of Hamden and to always represent their best interests at all costs.

Are you running for office in Hamden? Email vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile on Hamden Patch.