I Believe in Education

I believe in education. I was raised in a hardworking Italian family that valued hard work and the discipline of school. While working at town hall, I went to college evenings while raising a family. I received my B.A. in business administration at the same time my son earned his college degree.

One of the most important reasons I am running for First Selectman because I have watched a steady decline in the programs, services and opportunities within our schools over the last two years. This should be a concern of not only parents, but of all citizens as a quality education system is a main driver of property values, and Monroe has seen a faster decline in property values than our surrounding towns.

For two years, the current First Selectman  has made the schools a political football. That’s going to stop when I’m elected in November. As your First Selectman I will work cooperatively with the Board of Education to create a commission whose purpose will be to make recommendations on where we can leverage and integrate non-education services like maintenance and snow plowing with the Town. The duplicated services I intend to investigate will include snow removal, grass cutting, insurance (both health and vehicle), HR services, payroll, office supplies and so much more. I welcome your thoughts and suggestions of other areas to look into. Thousands of dollars were spent during last year's unprecedented snowstorms from the education budget for rentals of snow equipment because the First Selectman refused to allow the Board of Education to use the town equipment. Our surrounding neighbors never thought twice about collaborating with Town/BOE resources, sharing the burden and making the focus be about citizens’ safety and not petty politics.

A true leader does not fail his/her community when it comes to education. A seasoned First Selectman would solve problems and never allow members of the Board of Finance and Town Council to bicker, with little being accomplished in the end. This behavior and lack of civility and respect during the last two years resulted in distrust and division within our community where it was unwarranted and unprecedented.

A strong educational system is in the interest of every citizen of Monroe.  Not only does it enhance your property values, but allows our youngest citizens to reach their full potential. 

I believe in a moderate approach to education spending coupled with good educational outcomes. A community should aspire to a higher goal than the cheapest education the law allows.  I will never allow that to happen.