Patch Candidate Profile: Fran Dambowsky, Naugatuck Burgess

NAUGATUCK, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Naugatuck and there are plenty of local races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Naugatuck Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Democrat Fran Dambowsky, 73, is a Naugatuck resident running for the Board of Mayor and Burgesses.

Education

Southbury High School; Byton Forum School; United States Armed ForcesInstitute; Branford Hall; Waterbury State Technical College; Charter Oak State Collage.

What is your occupation?

Director of Emergency Management & Homeland Security 20 years.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Janice, and I have been married for over 33 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

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Present:
Burgess.
Director for Naugatuck Office of Emergency. Management & Homeland Security.
Treasurer, Naugatuck Ambulance Corp Board of Directors.
Displaced tenant housing coordinator.
Naugatuck Emergency Management Advisory Council
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments Emergency Planning Committee
Justice of the Peace

Past offices include:
Chairman - Naugatuck Board of Police Commissioners
Northwest Public Safety Corporate Board of Directors,
Bailiff

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am passionate about Naugatuck, and I want to continue to be a part of the team that moves our community forward. Four years ago, I saw that Naugatuck was finally on the path to regrowth, and I wanted to be an integral member of the positive, forward-thinking team that would work together to ensure that Naugatuck once again becomes a thriving community.

Over the past four years, we have faced challenges, but Naugatuck has continued to move forward with its plans for smart economic growth. I am proud of the work that we have done, and I am eager to continue working with and supporting Mayor Hess and the Borough Board to implement innovative ideas and make Naugatuck a premier and vibrant community.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Taxes! I will continue to support broadening the tax base. We must continue to strive to attract business and industry to our community. During the past few years, we have created programs such as the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District and the Facade program which will attract new businesses and support our local small businesses. We must continue to make Naugatuck a business-friendly town through creative planning.

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

I will reiterate what I've said in the past. Our nation has focused on our differences too much in recent years. Differences divide us. We need to focus on how to unite and work together.

During campaign season, people talk about their party affiliation and which "side of the aisle" they're on. We need to focus more on how to bring our fundamental ideas to the table in a respectful way and seek consensus, not compromise.

I believe that all of the candidates running for burgess are seeking office because they want to strengthen our community. I have faith that whoever is elected will work together for a better Naugatuck.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

As Burgesses, we are a team entrusted with working in the best interest of Naugatuck. To say that one of us failed would mean that we all failed. I don't believe that's true, and I believe we will continue to work together to ensure that Naugatuck thrives.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Broaden our tax base through innovative plans to attract new businesses and in support of our present businesses.

Public Safety ~ Fire, Police, & EMS. We must continue to support our public safety teams. Our residents deserve these services to be the best.

Continue to build a community of equity. Equity is about fairness and justice, and it means that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We must continue to support and expand our volunteer services. Volunteer groups such as the Naugatuck Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Fire Police, Garden Club,Historical Society, and youth sports leagues do so much for our town, but they often get overlooked. We need to work harder to promote and support these groups, so that they can continue to provide essential services to our community.

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

I stand on my 4 years as Burgess and what our team has accomplished in attracting new businesses and supporting our local small businesses.

As incident commander for the pandemic, I worked with our FEMA-mandated Unified Command Team to address the associated challenges. During the pandemic, it was necessary to make difficult decisions, many of which were unpopular. Our team made a conscious effort to adopt the motto "Education, not enforcement." Although challenging at times, we held true to that principle.

I authored our 380-page Local Emergency Operation Plan which was subsequently accepted and approved by the State of Connecticut and FEMA.

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.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice that anyone gave me was from a Corporate Executive of TIMEX. When I was just starting in the workforce, I noticed that he came to work very early every morning. I asked him why as a "big boss" he came in so early. He said that he came in early to say "hello" and "thank you" to the guy who worked overnight to clean all the restrooms in the plant and offices. I remember his exact words: "If I don't come to work, many people might be happy. If he doesn't come to work EVERYONE will be upset. So remember, I might be the big boss but, Charlie's job is more important." Fifty years later, I still follow Mr. Ken Killer's lead.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I want voters to know why I love Naugatuck.

What I like best about Naugatuck is its people. Naugatuck is a family, and like any family, we've seen good times and hard times. We argue sometimes, but we always love each other. We come together to help each other when there's a need. We cheer for our home team, whether they win or lose. We're the hundreds of volunteers who work tirelessly to make our community better. We're the coaches who step up to the plate when our kid's team needs an adult, and we stay on long after our own children have moved on. We're the family that gathers by the thousands on Memorial Day to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

We're not perfect, but what family is? We have important things to address, and we will address them together. Together, we can work wonders.