Why I Am Your Best Choice for Fire Commissioner

I am the survivor of a fire. While this fact in and of itself does not qualify me for the Fire Commission, it does make me passionate about ensuring that the North Haven Fire Department has the necessary resources to keep our residents safe. The current fire chief has raised concerns about the state of the Fire Department for several years now. He has emphasized that we lack the resources to adequately manage both medical and fire calls, namely, a sufficient number of professional and volunteer members and equipment.

We have four firehouses, but we only have staff in one. It is located in the center of town, so unfortunately, if your house is near a non-staffed fire station and you call 911, the response time will no doubt be longer than if you are near the central firehouse. In addition, the high volume of calls may add to a slower response because the Fire Department may be dealing with other calls. As is the case across the country, the number in North Haven’s volunteer pool has diminished and the existing volunteers may not always be able to respond. We can ask for assistance from other towns, but once again there is a time delay. Having watched my apartment go up in flames and the ashes of my bed get shoveled out the window following a fire, I fully understand what is at stake.

The lack of adequate equipment and apparatus is another area of concern. It is imperative that the town budget is set to ensure these needs are met. When funds are raised, then the budgeted figure can be reduced. I have been a vocal advocate for the Fire Department over the past few years. I attend Board of Finance and selectman meetings to advocate for the department’s needs. I have tried to inform others about the fire chief’s concerns as well. I firmly believe the taxpayers of North Haven should know what is at stake and have a say in how their money is spent.

I served on the Board of Education for six years. Many people sit on a board or commission and have never read about or taken any training course to educate themselves about their responsibilities. When I was elected to the Board of Education, I continued to educate myself beyond my years of experience as an educator. I attended workshops and seminars designed to teach board members about their role. These workshops covered topics such as the Freedom of Information Act to explain what transparent government should look like and how to follow the law. Additional topics included Robert’s Rules of Order, the role of the governing board vs. the superintendent, strategic planning, and budgeting.

During my term on the Board of Education, I advocated for transparency. All business and decisions the board makes should happen during board meetings, so the public knows what decisions are being made by their elected officials. I asked questions, requested additional data, and listened to members of the public in order to make an informed decision. I also attended meetings of other boards and commissions and had conversations with members of the Board of Selectman and Board of Finance about topics that were facing the district. I will bring to the Fire Commission my knowledge and experience gained on the Board of Education. The Fire Department serves every citizen in North Haven. I will use my knowledge of the town budget to advocate for the needs of the Fire Department.

Some town residents have asked why my opponent has been supported by some of the unions and other members of the Fire Department. These groups are making an endorsement without information about my skills or experience. They don’t have information about my skills or my positions on topics such as workers’ rights, the Fire Department budgets, etc. The endorsements have not included a careful comparison of the candidates.

I have received the support of many Democrats who know both my opponent and me very well. This includes Selectman Sally Buemi; Joe Cappucci, Fire Commissioner; Planning and Zoning Commission members Theresa Ranciato-Viele and James Giulletti; Board of Finance member Pat Brown; and Former State Representative Steve Fontana. These individuals have endorsed me because they know I have the skills, temperament, integrity and passion that is needed to serve on the Fire Commission. I will ask questions, request data and have respectful conversations to make informed votes. I promise the Democrats in town that I will not sit back and quietly vote yes without making sure that I have all the information. I will inform town residents about what is going on with our fire services and let them know what they can do to advocate for defined needs. I am a Democrat who takes this role seriously, and I believe that the good of the many should supersede the interest of a small but well-connected group of people. It is time for a change.