Monroe Republicans celebrated the opening of their campaign headquarters at 246 Main Street, next to Tavern Restaurant, on Sunday afternoon.
The event offered an opportunity to meet candidates running in this November's municipal election over finger food.
First Selectman Steve Vavrek, who is seeking a third consecutive term, says there is no reason to change course in a government in which Republicans hold majority representation on every board.
"It's about what we've done and how we brought Monroe forward as a team, mostly with bipartisan support," he said of this year's election. "I look forward to serving another two years."
Tax Collector Emanuel "Manny" Cambra faces his first challenge in a decade from Jerry Stevens, a retired teacher who is well-known in town.
"The tax collector is responsible for collecting and, more important, accounting for $80 million," Cambra said of funding for the operating budget. "I ask our residents to look at the qualifications of the candidates and come out to vote."
Sunday's event was also attended by Town Clerk Marsha Beno and her husband Michael (vice chairman of the Inland Wetlands Commission), longtime town Republican Kay Antrim, Town Council members J.P. Sredzinski and Vice Chair Deborah Heim, and Planning & Zoning Commission alternate Sean O'Rourke.
O'Rourke is running for Town Council this election. Sredzinski said it's important that O'Rourke be elected.
If elected, O'Rourke said he would stand for fiscal responsibility and work to encourage and foster economic growth as he does on the P&Z.
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