Wallingford Mayoral 2019 Election Profile: Dickinson Vs. Liu

WALLINGFORD, CT — The race for mayor in Wallingford is a rematch of the 2017 election. Longtime Republican Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr., a 36-year incumbent, is seeking a 19th consecutive term and faces another challenge from Democrat Jared Liu. Dickinson defeated Liu by 1,659 votes in 2017, which was his closest margin of victory in recent years.

Dickinson lists being mindful of spending within the town’s means by pursuing three goals — Protect, Improve, Nurture — as a priority.

“We live in a great town with good schools, safe streets, well-trained emergency response, reliable water/sewer and electric energy services, an active public health outreach, recreational opportunities, and a renowned public library,” reads a post on the Dickinson for Mayor website. “In order for us to enjoy these attributes, the community requires local government to make good decisions. The prudent management of public money and publicly owned property and equipment is essential for the delivery of local government services. The Mayor’s office plays an important role in determining the quality of services and the cost of services. Ultimately, the cost of services becomes the tax and utility rate bills which residents and businesses pay.”

Dickinson says his goal is to provide “good, affordable services.” He cites that Wallingford has the lowest tax rate in the immediate area: Cheshire 33.22 mills, Durham 35.89 mills, Hamden 48.86 mills, Meriden 40.86 mills, North Haven 31.18 mills, Southington 30.64 mills, and Wallingford 29.19 mills.

“Our water/sewer utility rates are reasonable compared with other municipalities,” according to Dickinson. “Wallingford residential electric rates are the lowest in Connecticut. These stewardship duties in managing public money are taken very seriously. Prudent management of finances results in the ability to provide reliable and good services on a continuous basis.”

Liu cites economic development as the most pressing issue facing Wallingford.

“A key obligation of the town administration is to attract and support a thriving business community,” Liu wrote in a candidate response questionnaire from Patch. “When our businesses succeed – creating jobs, services, and the type of community where we want to live – we succeed. However, over the past three decades, the current administration has eroded the thriving economic landscape they inherited, which was the product of planning, marketing, and listening to business concerns.

“Economic development is the key to Wallingford’s future. I’m proposing a plan to build the infrastructure to attract businesses we want, support the ones that are already here, and plan for the future. To do this, the town must significantly transform the way it approaches economic development. When we don’t plan, the character of our town changes, we neglect areas like Yalesville Center and lower downtown, and we put a greater strain on traffic and parking as well as the tax base.”

Liu says that Wallingford is an attractive place to live, but there have been many “missed opportunities over the past few decades.”

“The beauty and essence of our town have been well maintained by vigilant neighbors,” Liu wrote. “Commuting options between New Haven and Hartford are now more convenient with the new train service and station, there are many houses that reflect individual design, and the town is not in debt. But it is time to stop having to fight with town government to maintain what we love about Wallingford and start having it work with us and for us.”

For more information, visit Liu’s campaign website here and Dickinson’s site here.