2019 1st Selectman Election-Goals!

I attended the First Selectman Candidate Debate with high hopes to hear plans for the next four years, and was sorely disappointed. The incumbent, Tom Banisch appears happy with the status quo. The challenger, Peggy Lyons said her “specific” goals, should she win the election, are to keep the schools and beaches nice and to work to prevent climate change.

HOW?

Goals are specific, measurable, actionable, and have completion dates. How do we keep the schools great? How do we keep the beaches up? I wish I had heard one plan from either candidate that would show they have a direction, a plan, and the expected end results.

Being a leader involves setting an agenda and carrying it out. It’s great to involve the citizens of the town, but participation will be limited if you don’t have a plan. Goals can be changed or eliminated, but at least have a place to start. NO, everyone won’t like them, and yes, your goals will affect the outcome of the election. BUT, you cannot achieve goals without town support anyway. So, put them out there!

We heard that there is an $84 million plan or $165 million plan to reconfigure the shrinking school system. I am new to town, and I am a financial manager with common sense. If, for example, the budget deficit for schools is $1 million dollars per year, it will take more than 84 years of tax dollars to pay off the first plan, with the full burden on taxpayers now. Is that the best choice?

Tom Banisch could have had a big win had he simply acknowledged the new beach registration system was a failure and presented plans to correct it. Instead, it was the elephant in the room. I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Madison Town Beaches yet, but I would assume that a cheery wave from a gate guard, upon seeing a sticker on my car while entering the beach would be a nice way to start a summer day. It would be preferable to the new process of ticketing nonregistered cars after they had already parked, which prevented tax-paying citizens from being able to park and use the facilities. The $25,000 loss this year on beach passes would have paid a chunk of the gate guards’ salaries.

I registered for a pass online, obtained a vague email reply and never received confirmation of my registration (or denial). Am I at risk of being ticketed?

I support life guards at the beaches. It makes the beaches safer for all, and keeps them cleaner than unmonitored beaches. It is not impossible to do this. If our leaders can’t figure it out, they can look at towns that are doing this successfully and learn from them. We need to start training lifeguards, and paying them for training now. This is an expense that will add value to living in Madison.

I love living in Madison! It’s a beautiful town with lots of open space, great resources and wonderful people. Let’s work together to keep it that way.

Its not too late, Tom and Peggy! Tell us what you plan to do in the next four years. You’ll have my vote.