Patch Candidate Profile: David Pia, Trumbull First Selectman

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

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

Republican David Pia, 63, is a Trumbull resident running for first selectman.

Education

Stamford public schools, Industry institutes, Technical School, & "The school of knowledge, wisdom and hard knocks"

What is your occupation?

Owner of Associated Appliance in Stamford, and Monroe, CT

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

Yes. Married to Lori (DeFelice) for 35 years. 6 Children: John (Wife Jennifer, son Augustine), Thomas (Wife Shaina, Children Emilia, Giorgio, Eliana & Francesca), Philip (Wife Jennifer, Son Luciano, and one on the way!), Mary, Annie (Husband JJ, Children Jack & Fiona), and Nicole.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None have been employed in politics or government. However, my father Tom Pia, had served on the Bd. Of Representatives in Stamford for 3 decades, brother Jerry had served on the Bd. Of Education, in Stamford for over 20 years, my nephew Charles Jr. also served on the Stamford Bd. Of Representatives.

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

I was elected to the Trumbull Town Council, District 1 three times, served for 6 years.

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?

Being a small business owner for 43 years, I believe we should always be mindful that the money being spent to fund the town, and town projects, should be spent with the same prudence that we do in our homes and businesses. Trumbull has increased spending nearly $30,000,000.00 over the last six years, which is a factor in our increased property taxes.

I believe that government works best, when it works together. I have a history of working, and voting across party lines with the only objective being, “what’s in the best interest of the town, and the citizens”. To prove my commitment of UNITY – I am running on the Republican ROW B with two Democrats, and an Unaffiliated.

I have a history of working to UNITE the people in the town, and politics. Whether it was the famous 3:00 am cookout at my truck, in the town parking lot after a VERY log council meeting that ended at 2:45am! OR, inviting the town’s people to my business for a Trumbull Wines (not Whines) cookout at a time when too many people were arguing on social media.. It was a (non political) great opportunity for the people in town to unite for a glass of wine a hot dog, conversation and realize that we have more in common with each other than we may realize behind a computer screen (there may still be a Facebook page out there from the event, Trumbull Wines).

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

During many conversations with the people of town, there are several issues that the citizens of Trumbull are very concerned about. The top three are: Taxes, Safety & Apartments.

• Very high property taxes, which are sadly forcing people from their homes to other towns, cities, and states.

o I believe the first steps to control taxes are to control spending, to look at every expense and purchase as we would in our home or business. As citizens and business owners, we first focus on our income, and THEN budget for what we have available to spend and save. Government at virtually every level has this backwards. Government will compile a wish list of wants and needs, and then take the money from the people via taxes to fund it. Our town government needs to reverse this back to the sensible approach of governing. This is what we can spend, and this is what the department heads have to run their departments. It can be done.

We also need to focus on top line commercial growth in order to shift some of the tax burden off of the individual homeowners.

• Public safety. Many of our citizens are afraid to go to the Trumbull Mall. They are afraid to leave valuables in their cars, in their own driveways – even locked. Several ladies have told me that they are afraid to walk in our parks alone.

o I am a solid supporter of police officers. In August of 2020 (for no political reasons, I wasn’t involved politically, or running for any office), I was asked to speak at a BACK THE BLUE event in Stamford. I spoke from my heart in support of our “heroes”, our police officers and first responders. We need to not only restore the police pensions, but we need to attract the best of the candidates applying for police jobs. We need to make sure these candidates know that Trumbull is a town that SUPPORTS AND APPRECIATES OUR POLICE OFFICERS.

• Influx of apartments. Trumbull natives, and those who have moved here, desire Trumbull to be a quiet community with great schools, affordable homes, and stable taxes. Citizens I’ve spoken to feel the influx of apartments is causing our schools to be crowded, there are very few, if any, "affordable" homes to buy (two of my own adult children who wanted to live in Trumbull but had to purchase homes in other towns because of the cost of buying in Trumbull), and the high property taxes is the final "nail in the coffin." We need a real moratorium on new apartment buildings. The people are speaking loud and clear about this issue.

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

As a small business owner, and someone who has survived several recessions, I know what it’s like to struggle during rough times. My work ethic and determination are key in knowing how to do more with less, work pragmatically, and be prudent while looking for practical solutions. Government has a way of making everything more convoluted, and expensive than it needs to be. As for the difference between myself and "other candidates" in the spirit of a clean, positive campaign, I will leave that part for the voters to decide.

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

In the spirit of a clean and positive campaign, I will let the voters decide.

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

As mentioned before: Taxes & Spending, Public Safety, and a moratorium on new apartments.

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

Control spending. A couple of examples during my time on the Town Council.

1- I was on the council when we were told the health director condemned the concession stand at the high school, and we had to build a new one. One of my colleagues across the aisle raised his hand and motioned to “cap the project at a million dollars!!” I raised an objection, and he modified it to $500, 000. During the next week, I met with the health Director, and she said she never condemned the concession stand, she did have demands on some health concern upgrades. We made a list together, and the upgrades in material were $13,000!! With labor, it was a $25,000 project. After much debate and discussion, in the end the town handled the new concession stand, and added bathrooms (we had porta potties), for a cost of a little over $200,000.

2- When the town approved contractor was about to be awarded a contract for well over $3,000,000 to pave the high school parking lot, I called our director of public works to the stand, and asked if he had a price on the town doing the job. The short of the story is, because you had someone willing to ask the questions, and who was mindful that it is OUR money to manage prudently, we had the town re-pave the parking lot, for SAVINGS OF OVER A MILLION DOLLARS!

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer (OK, that was a joke, sort of).

My dad taught me to learn as much as possible about the details of everyone’s job who works for you. Knowing what their job entails, and how to do it, helps you to understand their position, and helps you to hold them accountable.

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

My intentions to serve and create unity the town are sincere. This is why we are running a UNITED FOR TRUMBULL campaign of qualified, caring candidates from all major party affiliations. We only have one objective, to serve and protect the people of Trumbull.