I have been a Democrat my entire adult life, however, several years back, I have noticed an ever increasing trend within the local party that places loyalty and ideological obedience above anything else. I noticed when I exercised my own judgement when making decisions for my neighbors while on the BOR for the last four years, I would get black-balled by my own party. The odds of me winning reelection on the Independent line are slim to none. I qualified myself for the ballot to offer you a choice. The last seven municipal elections in District 17 have not offered you that, since the Democratic party colluded to make sure there has not been two Democrats on the ballot during that time period, oddly until now. (Gee I wonder why). Don't take my word for it, check the records for yourself.

During the last four years I have been heavily involved in the City's budgeting process, and have been directly responsible along with those independent minded Reps in keeping the Mayor's proposed budgets under 2% for the last four years. Had the BOR just done what the administration wanted, you would be looking at annual increases of 2.2%, 3.8%, 5.5% and 5% respectively. People born and raised here deserve to be able to afford and live their lives out here if that is their dream. I feel like a lot of seniors are being pushed out of this city, as well as residents of the West Side and South End.

This really is the question. There are clearly residents who feel Stamford has grown enough, and those that want it to continue to grow. Make no mistake, politically, this issue is driven by money, particularly those who stand to profit. The bottom line is that we can't have both. So you have to ask yourself what kind of Stamford you want to live in. I honestly find no fault with either viewpoint. It's a personal decision. The way I feel is that over the census period, from 2010 to 2020, Stamford was responsible for over 40% of the entire State's population growth. That being said, I think we have done more than our fair share, while other towns and cities have not done a thing to increase housing. How is that fair?

I realize I am not answering the question being asked here. It's a fluff question. I will just end by saying I have the unfortunate belief that due to my own party's death grip on city politics, the 32nd BOR is going to revert back to the rubberstamping entity it has usually been these past few decades. I have gotten to a point in life where I realize the hatred between red and blue is nothing but a distraction keeping us from paying attention to what is in the best interests of all of us as individuals and families. I was born here. It makes me sad to see how impersonal our city is becoming. And it doesn't' have to be that way, even if we continue to grow. The best government results when there is robust debate. If we are going to elect a bunch of people who are just going to go along to get along, what is the point of even having a deliberative body? Good luck Stamford, I will always have love for you no matter what.