The Citizen’s News asked candidates running for Beacon Falls selectman in the Nov. 5 municipal election four questions. Their responses are below:
Kevin Michael McDuffie
Age: 64
Party: Democrat
Education: Emmett O’ Brien Technical High School; two years electronics
Political Experience: Ansonia Housing Authority (15 years, including as vice chairman and chairman); Planning and Zoning Commission (16 years, presently chairman)
Occupation: Electronic technician
Why are you running for selectman?
“After Selectman Peter Betkoski decided to step down, I wanted to continue on with the excellent work that the Bielik/Betkoski team has provided to our wonderful town.”
What do you feel is the most important issue facing Beacon Falls and how would you address it?
“We need to keep working together as a community to provide our citizens with services they need, all while keeping our taxes stable and creating positive growth.”
How will you approach crafting a budget and setting a tax rate?
“By working closely with the Board of Finance and the rest of our boards to control spending to create a healthy budget.”
What is your message to the voters?
“We have an excellent first selectman that not only served his country for 22 years, he is also serving our beautiful town proudly, and I will be honored to serve the town of Beacon Falls with Chris Bielik. Please come out to vote and get involved. We have a lot of talented citizens in this beautiful town. Please volunteer and get active in our community.”
Michael A. Krenesky
Age: 67
Party: Republican
Education: Bachelor of Science degree in computer information system, Bentley College (now Bentley University)
Political Experience: Selectman (four terms), town treasurer (two terms), Board of Education (3 3/4 terms), Economic Development Commission (one term)
Occupation: IT consultant, senior project manager, Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
Why are you running for selectman?
“The standard answer is, ‘I have more to do.’ In my case it is more than that as the town is potentially facing the largest tax increase in its history, that being repairing the 30-plus miles of roads that crisscross the town. I bring over 30 years of conservative experience to the selectman’s role. With that 30 years brings a proven commitment to Beacon Falls. I sat in the dark with you after the May tornado working with our emergency teams. Others left town until the electricity returned.”
What do you feel is the most important issue facing Beacon Falls and how would you address it?
“Roads, budget, taxes. It is clear that the kick-the-can-down-the-road approach the current Democrat administration has been following has finally hit the wall. Yes, several roads have been repaired in the last several years, but that has been more an accident than a plan. The new approach using a roads software package will help guide us, but common sense will also be needed. I have been and, with your vote, will continue to be that practical guiding voice on the Board of Selectman.”
How will you approach crafting a budget and setting a tax rate?
“I expect building the next town budget will be a challenge, so I will approach this with full transparency and straightforward honesty. You will know everything I know, so there are no surprises. That said, finding the funds to repair roads that does not affect other programs will be my goal. The current administration has a weak record at finding grants. My path, along with whatever federal and state road funds exist, is to find and take advantage of these grants. This will help control tax increases, but let’s be frank, taxes may have to go up to meet the town’s obligations.”
What is your message to the voters?
“The financial challenges we taxpayers will be facing these next two years will require experienced leadership and a strong voice to say ‘no’ when it is wrong and ‘yes’ when it is right. Electing someone that has no experience at the administration level may be a costly mistake that will take years for Beacon Falls to recover from. I have that experience and so does first selectman candidate Gerard Smith, which is why I am endorsing Gerry. We are the team that you need for the next two years.”
Shawn J. Styfco
Age: 35
Party: Unaffiliated
Education: Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Northeastern University
Political Experience: Republican Town Committee, Ethics Board and Inlands Wetlands Commission
Occupation: technical business analyst, The Hartford
Why are you running for selectman?
“First and foremost, I want to improve communication so that the residents are aware of what is happening in their town and give them the opportunity to be part of the decision making. The poor communication of critical town information has been a personal frustration of mine for the last few years. All too often I have found out about a special town vote or meeting with minimal notice and no time to educate myself on the topic. This has spanned topics from budget transfers to ordinance changes. Furthermore, while attending Board of Selectmen meetings I have watched the board mislead the public and bury important information. As a resident, I can only do so much; by becoming a selectman I will look to create a more transparent town government, sharing more information with the townspeople so that they can be informed and involved in the decisions that impact them.”
What do you feel is the most important issue facing Beacon Falls and how would you address it?
“Beacon Falls does not have a long-term capital plan. I’ve witnessed several instances where spending decisions were not made in the best interest of the taxpayers. Just because we’ve spent money on certain things in the past does not mean it’s what we should continue to do. It’s time to take a closer look at our existing spending so that we can spend wisely and plan for the future of our town. By forecasting future town needs (road repairs, town building improvements, utility replacement, technology and vehicle lifecycles, etc.) and budgeting for it over time, we can ensure our town has the things it needs without surprise tax hikes down the road.”
How will you approach crafting a budget and setting a tax rate?
“It’s time the budget received a thorough, unbiased examination. I will look to work with the Finance Department and various town departments to understand their needs and budgetary concerns. Once we can trim the budget down to necessary spending we can then compare against the anticipated revenue and prioritize any additional spending that will help the long-term position of the town. It’s important we start distributing large capital expenses over time to create a sustainable long-term capital plan for the town, just as you would do with your own finances.”
What is your message to the voters?
“I am an unbiased choice to ensure your tax money is spent wisely. I have no professional ties and very little family in town. I do not partake in any nepotism or cronyism and I will not accept campaign donations from town consultants, unlike some others running for office. For this reason, I am in the best position to do what’s best for the town, rather than feed my own self interests. It’s time we plan for the future of all of Beacon Falls while being mindful of where the hard-earned tax money comes from.”
