EDITORIAL: Re-elect Steve Vavrek as first selectman

While Monroe has long been a small suburban community that is run in a lean, efficient manner, it’s obvious a lot of problems had been put off. The main reason for this may be the town’s budget referendum form of government, which can make it difficult to generate the revenue needed to think long term.

If a town leader pushes too hard to tackle the long-range problems, taxes could go up too much and he or she might end up out of a job. Still, requiring referendums is a good way for residents to make sure town spending doesn’t get out of control.

Since taking office almost two years ago, First Selectman Steve Vavrek has hit the ground running. He’s had plenty on his plate. He has been right to focus on addressing the town’s infrastructure and land-use operations and policies during his first term.

Town roads were in poor shape, and while a program already had been started to begin fixing them, Vavrek pushed for an aggressive approach. Some may criticize the use of bonding and the hiring of an out-of-state company for the road improvement program, but the bottom line is there has been noticeable progress and the town’s debt levels remain reasonable. Vavrek now must start shifting more roadwork costs to the operating budget.

The town also has started to address its long-neglected Town Hall, including the inadequate and antiquated police station.

Monroe’s land-use procedures — from zoning enforcement to department filing systems — were not up the standards of a modern suburb. More importantly, they were not inviting to developers who could make investments here. Vavrek has done a good job pushing for needed improvements, and stuck to his guns when the going got tough, such as during budget season.

For the next two years, we encourage Vavrek to make economic development his top priority. This would include pushing for sewers in commercial areas and the possible hiring of a part-time economic development director to spur business recruitment and expansion.

The only way for the town to avoid large tax increases in the future is to expand the commercial tax base. While always a challenge, it’s even more of a challenge in these hard economic times. It’s unlikely the town’s expenses will go down much. Employee health care costs will continue to escalate, and significant savings on the education side will be difficult to find despite declining enrollment.

Vavrek’s budget this year was a good one, and it’s important to remember the Board of Finance — not Vavrek — cut the Board of Education’s reasonable request for a minimal spending increase.

We’ve also been impressed with Vavrek’s willingness to work with people from both political parties, including mayors and first selectmen from nearby communities. He’s been open-minded about regionalization efforts. His appointments to paid municipal positions have been non-political. He is accessible and responsive. He understands the need to work with everyone. He is willing to meet with critics.

Vavrek’s opponent, Phyllis Kansky, is knowledgeable about town government. She worked at Town Hall for three decades. Some of her criticism of the current administration has validity, including of Vavrek’s unilateral decision to close Town Hall early on Fridays and his handling of the AMEC trash recycling center proposal.

But Steve Vavrek knows the town of Monroe well. As he likes to say, he is out in the community every day — from public meetings to charitable events, from sporting events to business forums. He isn’t just a cheerleader. He has implemented good policy changes and has a two-year record of accomplishment. Vavrek has earned another two years in office.