A Message 

from

Paul DeStefano

First Selectman

January 18, 2010 

To: All Republican Party Members and Unaffiliated Voters who support our cause. 

From: Paul DeStefano 

Re: Thoughts to begin 2010 

Friends: 

The election, as exciting as it was, is only a blur these days. There is so much happening and so much to do, that the fond weeks and months of enormous energy and incredible comradery sometimes fade in the light of the demanding days; but when I think of how far we’ve come in our quest to bring a positive, more fulfilling, hopeful message to the citizens of Haddam, my mind drifts back to the hard work that somehow didn’t feel hard at all, and to the chocolate covered bacon that somehow really didn’t taste all that bad, and I feel renewed.   

We’ve had a nice start. I think we’re going to conquer the transfer station issue either with an extension of the consent order and another station, or with a competitive curbside program and a bulky waste site. We’re taking the bull by the horns in Tylerville and will soon have a few comprehensive alternatives to bring to the table. We have completed the Higganum Village sewer study and can now determine the best solution to facilitate growth there.  

We’re repairing broken relationships, strengthening lasting ones, and creating new ones. The reception on all levels has been excellent. Using communication and transparency, the promises of our campaign, we are beginning to earn a level of trust that will ultimately be necessary to revitalize our community.  

Many of the programs we discussed as candidates are now coming to fruition as elected officials. The reception to a code of ethics has been solid and a committee is about to be formed. The tax incentive program for new and expanding businesses will be coming to a public hearing shortly, as will the anti-blight ordinance. We have initiated a study for elderly and veteran tax assistance modifications and will share that with the public in the weeks to come. We have solidified our immediate town council needs and have arranged for additional highly specialized land-use representation where needed. 

From an administrative standpoint, we have enacted monthly department head meetings to enhance communications and promote a working team concept. We have strengthened the work flow process with the use of back-up training, we have expanded our systems capabilities and secured more efficient equipment, and we have re-enforced and in some cases re-defined the goals of town hall to be the service organization that our citizens expect.   

Building a tight ship is one thing, but sailing into the choppy waters of opportunity and growth is another. In preparation, we have reached out to our regional neighbors and community organizations to identify and promote synergy. We have stepped up our plans to strengthen our infrastructure. We have met with developers, bankers, private investment groups and real estate firms to brainstorm ways to stimulate growth. 

Now, you will have noticed that my reference throughout this message has been on the term WE, and that is because that’s exactly the way it is. The Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Elected Commissions, Appointed Committees, Volunteer Organizations, Department Heads, and Town Hall Staff have all shown their willingness to buy into the concept that we promised the voters.....one town, one body, and one voice. There is some good stuff happening, folks, and I will do my best to keep it rolling. As always, please know that I am grateful for your trust and confidence. 

Respectfully, 

Paul   

THANK YOU FELLOW REPUBLICANS!

YOUR VOTES and YOUR SUPPORT in the recent town elections are the reason that our Republican candidates did so well, not once but TWICE this past November.  We thank each and every one of you.  You have certainly discovered how important ONE VOTE is, especially for the Board of Education slot.  Maybe YOUR VOTE was the one that made the difference!

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TO CONTINUE OUR SUCCESS:  With your talents and a bit of your time, can you help the Haddam Republican Town Committee?

1.   WORK AT ELECTIONS/REFERENDA - You are paid to do such jobs as pass out ballots, check in voters, or count absentee ballots, etc.  We need poll workers. Can you help? 

2.   CONTACT VOTERS - Make phone calls, work on mailings, or go door-to-door with candidates.  Give just a little of your time, usually at election time.

3.   JUSTICE OF THE PEACE - The Haddam Republican Town Committee has the ability to appoint you to this important position.  Are you interested?

4.    APPOINTMENT TO AN AD HOC COMMITTEE OR OFFICIAL GROUP - Ad Hoc Committees (to address a specific town issue) or Official Groups are formed from time to time to propose solutions or represent Haddam to regional groups.  This is important and rewarding, especially if you have expertise/experience related to the issue.

5.   SERVE ON A BOARD OR COMMISSION - such as the Planning & Zoning Commission, Inland Wetlands Commission or Economic Development Commission to name a few.  From time to time, there is a need to fill a vacancy, and we need to generate a list of interested Republicans to be sure that our Republican Party is represented properly.

6.   JOIN US ON THE HADDAM REPUBLICAN TOWN COMMITTEE - There are a few openings. HRTC consists of 30 Republicans who are responsible for selecting candidates for office, naming representatives to State Conventions, and working to get candidates elected.

7.   PROVIDE US WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS/PHONE NUMBER - In order to contact you directly - whether it be about an up-coming election or referendum, an important town meeting or issue, a Republican caucus or other business, this is the best way to get the word out in our town.  WE WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING!

(Your information will NOT be shared with anyone else.)

Click here to download the form to allow us to communicate

Archived Message 

from

Paul DeStefano

First Selectman

December 5. 2009

To: All Republican Voters and all Unaffiliated who support our party.

Re: A time to reflect, gather purpose, and unite.

Friends:

Now that I am able to come up for air, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for all your support and hard work over these past several months. It wasn’t easy, but with your diligence, guts, and determination, we were finally able to turn the tide and offer our beloved town something it has been missing for a very long time.....”hope.”

After three weeks on the job (three weeks that feel like six), I can honestly say that the conceptual plans we laid out for the voters during the campaign are indeed achievable. When I first started, I felt like the proverbial farm boy who, when discovered by his father sifting through a pile of horse manure, simply replied.....”There has to be a pony in here somewhere.”

The town hall staff has made my transition a lot easier. They were ready for me when I arrived. They are a group of hard working, positive people who are hungry for ideas and eager to serve. They, above all, want to break down any perception of “us and them”, and I urge you all to take the time to talk to them on your next visit to the town hall. They need to feed off your positive feelings; there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes and sometimes these folks do not get the credit or the stroking they deserve.

Many of you have already stopped in to see me or attended one of our Selectmen meetings. Thank you.....I need to hear your voice....at the end of the day, it is those voices that will reshape our future.

The next few months will be a whirlwind. The budget is looming on the doorstep and the “Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse” are banging at the door. We have greeted the first of our demons head-on and have put an action plan into progress that will enable us to move the ‘transfer station’ issue forward. The second, Higganum Village, has been pushed forward on the agenda and you will soon see some specific plans brought before you. The third, Tylerville center, will be buzzing soon with the opening of the Country Market, an eminent conversion of the infamous ECO center into retail space, the final tenant occupancy at the Bridge Street Plaza, a new Dunkin Donuts,....and God willing....a tourism tie-in to our friends across the river in the near future. The last and perhaps the trickiest of the lot, ‘failing town roads,’ is being met with a prioritized plan of action. I am encouraged by the brainstorming and dialogue that is enabling us to gather our strengths to attack these challenges.

Also, you might be interested to know, that I have been able to move a few of my campaign issues forward as well. On the town web site, you will soon see an invitation to participate in an exploratory committee to form a ‘code of ethics.’ Another invitation will also be printed in the Haddam Bullitan’s next issue. Next, we have brought a ‘tax incentive policy’ to the forefront, a comprehensive, multi-commission underwritten policy that is designed to attract desirable businesses into town, and enable existing businesses who want to make major changes in their operations to seek assistance. Third, we have fine-tuned an anti-blight proposal that will be coming to a public hearing shortly. In addition, we have retained a much-valued town counsel, while opening up ‘land / use’ legal assistance to our Planning and Zoning Commission. We have also had discussions with potential EDC staff person candidates and interviewed an expert grant writer to help us find additional sources of revenue.

I’ve got to tell you, folks; it’s been a hectic three weeks, but I’m loving the opportunity you’ve given me. As always, I promise to do my best to make you proud of your decision. One more time......Thank You.

Respectfully,

Paul