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FAIRFIELD, Conn. ? To help our readers prepare for Election Day, The Daily Fairfield sent five questions to each of the candidates on the November ballot. The following response is from Anthony Calabrese, a Republican running for the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) in District 7.
Why should people vote for you?
People should vote for me because Im passionate about Fairfield and I care about the future of this town. This is a town I decided to make my home and raise a family in, and I believe I can help make a difference by being a part of the RTM. Im a hard worker and am extremely dedicated. Im not afraid to make tough decisions or stand up for what I believe in.
What are the biggest issues facing Fairfield?
From speaking with many residents in my district, some of the biggest issues facing Fairfield at the moment consist of the long-term planning process, maintaining the quality of our school system and more transparency in government - all while trying to keep our taxes affordable.
Is Fairfield going in the right direction -- If you are an incumbent, what were your biggest achievements? If you are a challenger, what has your opponent done wrong while in office?
I feel Fairfield is at a standstill at the moment. Many of the politicians who have been in office in recent years, I believe, have been in it for the wrong reasons. I feel that anyone who is running for office needs to have Fairfields best interests at heart.
At this point, I can only speak for myself - I love Fairfieldand the services Fairfield has to offer its residents. There is no other town that Id like to be a part of the process of making it better.
What would you do to involve your constituents in your decision-making process?
Ive always been a hands-on type of personality, so community meetings are a must. I also currently have a campaign page on Facebook where I keep my constituents up to date on the most recent happenings in Fairfield. And, as Ive been campaigning door-to-door, I am also sure to give each resident my email address (anthony.calabrese1@gmail.com) in case they have any questions or concerns.
How can Fairfield avoid another Metro Center, i.e., a project that goes severely over budget? What will you do to prevent it? Be specific.
For large-scale projects there should be a project manager and/or a building committee to oversee the project and keep the public informed and involved. All three boards: the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Finance and the RTM must continue to scrutinize every project that comes before them; they cannot just rubber stamp it.
Find all of our candidates Q&As here.
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