Darren Cunningham

I am truly honored to have the opportunity to run for First Selectman, and I am pleased to explain why I believe, and the many who support my candidacy believe, that I should be your next First Selectman in Simsbury.

  The issues we face as a town are serious.  Our taxes are too high, and the current administration has moved too slowly to solve the problem.  Our town charrette was an important initiative, but it took the First Selectman a full two years to get it done and it will likely take her another two years to put in place land use regulations that will protect our town's desirable character while making it attractive for quality development.  We have too many closed store fronts along Hopmeadow, most visibly the old Ritz Photo Shop, Auto Parts Store and the Wagner Ford/Nissan property on the North side of town.  But our First Selectman has moved too slowly and has exercised no leadership in getting these issues addressed.

As I have walked door-to-door these past few months I have heard from life-long senior residents of our town, young homeowners, and parents with children in our school system, all of whom are struggling to stay in a community that by any measure is beautiful and desirable, but has become too expensive.  The tax burden we have placed on these citizens was perhaps tolerable while our state and national economies were strong, but that is no more.  Now they worry about whether they can stay in the homes where they raised their families, or whether they can afford to raise their families here at all.

I grew up in this town, I was educated here, and I have returned to this Town with my wife because I believe our community is unique and because I have something to give back.  I believe that I can help this town preserve its character while championing responsible development of our Center Zone, controlling and even shrinking the size of our government, maintaining the quality of our educational system, and reducing our individual property taxes.  These things take bold and visionary leadership, not committees behind which government bureaucrats hide in order to protect their future ambitions.

First, we need to change the perception that Simsbury is a difficult place in which to start or run a business.  Only 13% of our tax base is commercial.  Thus, whenever spending in town increases, 87% of that increase is borne by our homeowners.  We need a First Selectman who is willing to work with our business community, the Chamber of Commerce, and with our land use boards to develop regulations that make our Center Zone a place where businesses will want to locate, grow and thrive.

Second, we do not need local sales taxes, as our current First Selectman has proposed.

Third, we need a First Selectman who puts our town ahead of her own personal political goals.  We do not need new positions added to the town payroll so that the First Selectman can keep part-time hours.  Nor should we allow our precious tax dollars to be siphoned off into regional initiatives that make Simsbury a net exporter of money and services.  I am concerned as are many residents I have spoken to that our current First Selectman is an advocate of bigger government locally and regionally because she sees it as her path to statewide office.

Fourth, we are entitled to a pledge from the next First Selectman that he or she will serve the entire term, and not seek higher office before the job is done.  I proudly make that pledge.

While serving as an Assistant Attorney General for the past 7 years I have learned much about government, its strengths, weaknesses and excesses.  Meanwhile, my service on Simsbury's Planning Commission and Conservation Commission has provided me with an insider's view of local government, politics, and most importantly, the issues facing our land use boards and the applicants who come before them.  We can no longer accept the status quo.

The time has come for Simsbury to expect more from its government, and from its First Selectman.   We need new leadership.  We need A BETTER DIRECTION FOR SIMSBURY'S FUTURE.

Please favor me with your vote on November 3.

Paid for by Simsbury Republican Town Committee, Gregory W. Piecuch, Treasurer
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