Naugatuck Candidate Profile: Fran Dambowsky For Burgess

NAUGATUCK, CT — Naugatuck's election season is heating and there are plenty of contested races with candidates eager to get their name on the ballot for the city's municipal election. One of those contested races is the race for the Board of Mayor and Burgesses.

Naugatuck Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Fran Dambowsky, 69, is running for the Board of Mayor and Burgesses and is running as a Democrat.

Are you running for office in Naugatuck? Contact Brian McCready at brian.mccready@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Naugatuck Patch.

Family: *

Janice, and I have been married for over 29 years. I am the proud father of five daughters, Carol, Tina, Michele, Crystal, and Ashley. I have two grandsons; Kyle and Sean and three granddaughters; Juliana, Mya, and Sophia.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? *

Wife: Janice Dambowsky, Secretary to Mayor, Naugatuck
Daughter: Michele, Forensic Biologist, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory

Education: *

Southbury High School
Byton Forum School
Waterbury State Tech
Branford Hall
Charter Oak State Collage

Occupation: *

Present:
Investigator – State of Connecticut
Director - Naugatuck Emergency Management & Homeland Security

Past:

Retired Buyer & Manager - Peter Paul, Naugatuck
Dispatcher - Naugatuck Fire Department
U.S. Navy Veteran

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: *

Police Commissioner
Justice of the Peace
Bailiff
Notary

Campaign Website: *

https://www.facebook.com/Fran4...

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

I have been walking around town and knocking on doors to introduce myself to the residents of Naugatuck. The number one topic that comes up is “taxes.” With the absence of industry in Naugatuck, we must continue to build, utilizing smart growth. I am an advocate of Mayor Hess’s plans for the Inland Port of Naugatuck and the Downtown Transit-Oriented Development. We must continue to seek other avenues of this type to increase our grand list. Infrastructure-based economic development spurs economic growth, not only for Naugatuck and Connecticut, but also the entire New England region. This will result in an increase in our tax base, which will benefit all taxpayers. I will do everything in my power to achieve that goal

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

I do not believe in playing the party line. My intention is to work as a team for Naugatuck regardless of whether there is a “D” or an “R” after my name. We must work as a team, “Team Naugatuck.” We are at a critical juncture in Naugatuck’s history. I believe that it’s time to put personal and political differences aside and work together to create the vibrant community that Naugatuck will be.

I am an advocate of giving back to the community. I started public service in 1964 when, at the age of 14, I joined the Civil Defense/Auxiliary Fire Department. I later became a member of the volunteer fire department. After receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Navy, I became a member of the Connecticut State Police Auxiliary. I am proud to have served as an Auxiliary Trooper for over forty years

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

We are presently faced with an opioid crisis that is infecting many people of all ages in every community. I support Naugatuck Youth Services, Naugatuck Valley Health, and the Naugatuck Police Department in their efforts to curtail this terrible epidemic.
Recently Naugatuck Police Department introduced the Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative (PAARI). This three prong program is comprised of: 1. Education. 2. Stepping up enforcement and curbing the distribution of illegal drugs with zero tolerance for those found to be dealing these substances. 3. Assistance of a recovery coach for those suffering from addiction.
We cannot cast a blind eye to this issue. Curtailing drug addition will have a direct impact on reducing crime in our community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a manager and a buyer for a Fortune 500 company, I was tasked with, not only operating within budget, but for presenting annual cost saving ideas to reduce spending versus prior budgets. While the process of fashioning a budget for a municipality may differ from that of private industry, many of the principles still apply. Careful analysis of the budgets presented to the Board of Finance for consideration is an absolute must. As a Burgess, I will be involved in the process prior to the budget coming before the budget public hearing. My attendance at presentation of the department heads budget requests to the Board of Finance will give me an understanding what the department heads are asking for in their presentation and why they are asking for it. If needed, I will meet with department heads to get specific reasoning for their requested budget. I will be vigilant year round just like I was trained in the private sector, not just during the budget process to find new and innovative means to find cost savings such as centralized purchasing and partnerships with other communities for vendor supplied goods and services

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

When I was young and first started working in private industry, I would get into work a bit early so that I could have breakfast in the plant cafeteria. I noticed that every morning, the Chief Executive Contract Administrator for the company would be in before me and that he would walk around the plant. He was a friendly guy and would sit at my table, chat, and have his coffee, after his walk. One day I asked him why he came in to work so early, after all he was a top executive of the company and could come and go as he pleased. He said, “Son, do you know ‘Charley’?” I said “no.” Mr. Killer said, “Charley is the guy that pushes the cart around. That cart has mops, brooms, rags, and other cleaning supplies on it.” He went on to say that he comes to work early everyday so that he could thank Charley for spending the overnight hours cleaning every restroom in the building. Mr. Killer said to me, “If I didn’t come to work, many employees might not notice, and some might be happy. If Charley didn’t come to work, all employees would be upset. Remember, Francis, whatever position you may attain in life, you will never be more important than Charley.”

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

I know first-hand the impact of industry moving out of town and taking jobs with them. I understand what it’s like to be concerned that you might not have the ability to pay for the necessities for your home. But, I also know that in times of adversity, we must “roll up our sleeves” and get to work.

Memberships:
Connecticut Bar Association
National Association of Public Defense
National Defender Investigator Association Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut.
Connecticut State Police Academy Alumni Association: Life Member
Veterans, Civic, Social Affiliations:
American Legion
VFW Post 1946: Life Member American Legion
Naugatuck Veterans Council (Past): Vice Chairman
Catholic War Veterans Gold Star Post 708: Treasurer & Past Commander
Catholic War Veterans Department of Connecticut: Trustee
Elks Club Naugatuck Lodge 967

Naugatuck Ancient Order of Hibernians

Awards/Citations
Franklin Johnson Citizenship Award
Proclamation from the State of Connecticut General Assembly for Community Service.
Proclamation from the Borough of Naugatuck and Office of Mayor for Community Service.
State of Connecticut Secretary of State Award for Excellence in Community Service
Naugatuck Fire Department Unit Citation
Connecticut State Police Unit Citation