West Haven Election 2021: Michael Last Running For City Treasurer

WEST HAVEN, CT — The 2021 municipal election is heating up in West Haven with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 2 and cast their ballots for the position of mayor, along with seats on the City Council, Board of Education and more.

West Haven Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Democrat Michael P Last, 56, is running for re-election as West Haven City Treasurer.

Occupation: Chief Financial Officer

Family:Wife Kathe, Daughter Kelly, son Michael, granddaughter Madison (born 9/30/21 to daughter Kelly and husband Josh McLaughlin). Son Michael got engaged to fiancée Kanani last month (September).

Experience: City Council (2011-2015); City Treasurer (2017-Present)

Family in government: I work for the State of Connecticut as the Chief Financial Officer at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven. I started my career with the State in 1989 at the Office of the State Treasurer

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

The most pressing issues in West Haven are building on our financial success and addressing deferred maintenance on our aging infrastructure and attracting more investors to West Haven. Over the past 4-years we have made a lot of progress and gained the confidence of investors by getting our fiscal house in order and stabilizing our tax mill rate. I will continue working to build on our recent success and to keep improving West Haven.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

One critical difference between me and my opponents is experience and involvement in the community. I have been in government finance and accounting for more than 30 years and volunteer my time to many local non-profit organizations.

Accomplishments:

Over the past four years, as a team, and we have balanced four operating budgets that produced surpluses resulting in a healthy rainy day fund. Our bond rating outlook has been upgraded twice in four years, saving taxpayer dollars on long-term financing. Trust funds have been set up to help pay for future retiree benefits (OPEB). Pension plans have been funded at or above the actuarial recommended contribution.

Other issues:

If re-elected, I will continue to look for ways to make our city's government operations more efficient and effective. We will continue to stress fiscal responsibility, market the community to attract more economic development, and address deferred maintenance and improve quality of life for all of our residents.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

West Haven is moving in the right direction and I respectfully request your support so that we can continue improving the city and realize the unlimited potential of the city.

Are you running for office in West Haven? Email vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile on West Haven Patch.