Republicans, Democrats Differ on Economic Health of South Windsor

Drive around South Windsor and campaign signs are out – though only a few – pointing voters to key issues for the November municipal election.

For Republicans, the Board of Education candidates tout “supporting the needs of families” while Democrats draw voters’ attention to scant job creation numbers and vacant buildings.

Is that an accurate picture of South Windsor’s economic climate?

The data came from a Department of Labor report, said Democratic councilor and candidate Keith Yagaloff and the problem reflects not only stagnant job creation but also a crippling problem for the town: a flat grand list.

“The fact is that we can’t spend money and new tax dollars without having additional tax dollars come in from an increase in the grand list. We all know we have a flat grand list and it hinders the ability of the town to provide additional services,” he said.

Without an increase in the grand list from commercial properties, any more money the council wants to spend must come by raising property taxes.

“The Town Council is supposed to be bringing in businesses to town that will pay additional tax dollars for their real property and business property. Those businesses will bring in jobs,” Yagaloff said.

And while the council may not be directly responsible for creating jobs – the town pays Economic Development Director and Chamber of Commerce President Shari Fivash to do that – it’s the council’s job to set the policy, Yagaloff said, pointing to towns like Windsor, which recently netted Amazon.

Dr. Saud Anwar, also a Democratic councilor, has repeatedly said economic development must be the town council’s number one priority and a starting point for any other activity.

“We keep going after the residents to come up with ways to pay for [town expenses] and as we continue to do that people are getting tired,” Anwar said, adding that South Windsor’s average of annual job creation is well behind the state and neighboring Windsor. 

“You must create an environment which makes it easier for appropriate industry to come to town – more high-end manufacturing jobs, high-tech industry, even strengthening the defense industry in town. Our town council can make a difference by creating incentives and opportunities for business to come to town,” Anwar said.

"We need to give a break to the community and instead we are stuck on making fields and raising sewer fees..."

He said that since the town’s economic development director started, she has yet to come before the council with any initiatives for increasing the grand list or attracting business.

Republican councilor Cary Prague has refuted the Democrats' numbers, saying hundreds of jobs have been created in South Windsor in the past few years – many just at TicketNetwork, where Prague works.

He also has said that he and other councilors are constantly attending ribbon cuttings and grand opening celebrations at new businesses in South Windsor. 

At the business Expo, Fivash said that the businesses that have been attracted to town in the past few years have been a mix of types and that there have been two to three openings a week recently, though many are businesses filling existing space.

“There’s a lot of rehabbing of vacant space and there are still a lot of vacant spaces needing to be filled. But it’s coming back after the recession,” Fivash said. “We’re pretty diverse with a ton of banks, a high density of elder care… the high-tech tool and die industry and 3D imaging.”

Prague can rattle off a laundry list of recent wins for South Windsor, including the FedEx distribution center, several banks, Hartford Hospital, Dairy Queen and ECHN.

“Economic development is alive and well in South Windsor thanks to the entire town council, [Town Manager] Matt Galligan and the Chamber of Commerce,” Prague said.

“We lost a lot of jobs in 2007 with Mestek and Gerber moving out,” Prague said. “But we’ve gained jobs by all the economic development we’ve done. The 44 jobs the Dems allude to …that’s purely the economy. You can’t blame Republicans or Democrats.”

He also said that number – of South Windsor residents employed – is different than the issue he’s concerned with: the number of jobs in town. And that is growing, he said.

Also, Prague said the grand list fell because of revaluation, which decreased the value of the properties. But the town has offered abatements on real estate to bring in businesses that go on to pay as much in personal property taxes.

“The economy is very robust in South Windsor. There are a lot of working class people who have jobs …and a large senior population,” Prague said. “But to say that economic development is failing or stalled in South Windsor is crazy.”