Mayor: Republican council works against town

Written by James R. Miron
Friday, 30 October 2009 09:20

Councilman Michael Julian and his fellow Republicans voted to intervene in a federal lawsuit involving the City of Bridgeport, the United States Army, Hollywood East and Atlantic Aviation, a hangar operator, for the express purpose of delaying the closing on the Army Engine plant. The Republican council’s action sought nothing less than to derail the single largest economic development project in our town’s history.

Fortunately, the United States District Court denied their request.

The transfer of the Stratford Army Engine Plant to Hollywood East would immediately place those 78 waterfront acres and more than 1 million square feet of space on the Grand List, instantly becoming our second largest taxpayer. Jobs would be created and a new digital media industry would be headquartered in Stratford.

The Republican Town Council’s dangerous and unprecedented action was an unwarranted attack on the Stratford taxpayers. The town’s future should not be subject to mayoral election politics.

Unfortunately, we have seen this before. During the last four years, the Republicans have fought against senior citizen tax relief, veteran tax relief and even the Pirhala Fields Community Gardens. They have tried to give the Shakespeare Theatre away and more than 3 million taxpayer dollars to an out-of-state developer with no plan and a contract that violates state law. Now, in their most bizarre act of all, they have tried to kill the sale of the Army Engine Plant.

For Mr. Julian to try to tie their action in as fighting airport expansion or to claim that I support airport expansion is without merit. I am clearly on record as supporting a better airport but not a bigger airport. I have consistently been opposed to runway expansion.

The closing of the sale of the engine plant leaves intact the disputed 1.07 acres that will not be transferred at this time. The closing will allow Stratford to bring much needed economic development and still have its say, and fight if needed, in any plans the FAA or Bridgeport are attempted to be implemented without meaningful Stratford input.

As Mayor of Stratford, I have worked hard for economic development, growing our grand list by $150 million, improving our bond rating, holding the line on taxes, providing three record surpluses and lowering taxes during the worst economic time since the Great Depression.

There will be time in the future to address all issues related to Main Street and the airport. However, that time is not the present.

Now is the time to push the Army Engine Plant forward without undue delay.

Once again, the Stratford Republican Town Council has not acted in the best interest of the Town of Stratford.