Candidates for office spar at finance board debate

Weston’s fiscal future and a possible conflict of interest were two of the main topics at the debate of the finance board candidates on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Approximately 50 residents turned out to ask questions and meet the five candidates running for four open seats. Republicans Jerry Sargent and Michael Carter, and Democrat Steve Ezzes are incumbents, while Democrat Larry Skor and Republican David Finkel are political newcomers.

The debate was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Weston, and Jean Rabinow from the League of Women Voters of Connecticut was the debate’s moderator. Because Ms. Rabinow was stuck in traffic and was running late, Westonite Margaret Wirtenberg, a member of the league’s public issues team, took the helm and asked the first few questions.

Key questions and answers

How does the Board of Finance balance Weston’s unique character with the need to be fiscally viable?

All candidates acknowledged that the tough economy will require the board to work hard to balance services and taxes.

“If you have no money, you have to think smarter,” Mr. Ezzes said. He said the town has a long-term financial plan and offered printed copies of it to the audience.

There are “no sacred cows” in the budget, said Mr. Carter. He acknowledged there will be some hard decisions to make in the next six years.

For Mr. Sargent, it was a matter of “needs vs. wants.” He said, “We live in an era of great abundance, but the times they are a changing. There will be some hard decisions to make.”

Mr. Finkel said the challenge was to do more with less, and work with other town boards to cut costs. “The buck stops here,” he said.

Mr. Skor said every expenditure needs to be thought out, and tax dollars should not be spent recklessly. “It’s not my money we’re spending, it’s the taxpayers’,” he said.

Do you think the budget process needs to be changed, and if so, how would you suggest the town go about doing so?

Mr. Skor said no, he did not think the budget process needed to be changed and called the Annual Town Budget Meeting (ATBM) a “tried and true New England tradition.”

Mr. Carter said he would like to find ways to get the public more involved in the budget process. “It’s helpful to have your finger on the pulse of the people of Weston,” he said.

Agreeing with Mr. Carter, Mr. Sargent said it was dispiriting for the finance board when only a couple of people showed up at the regular meetings. He is a big advocate for the machine ballot and vote.

Mr. Ezzes said Weston’s budget process was much more collegial than Westport’s. He commended Weston for having joint meetings among the finance board, school board, and selectmen. “I think the budget process works extremely well,” he said.

Mr. Finkel said he doesn’t fault Weston residents who aren’t familiar with the budget process, and the finance board, school board, and selectmen should do more to get the word out. “It’s incumbent on the boards to simplify the process and take the initiative,” he said. He also said there is an incredible amount of comparative data from other towns that the finance board could review to draw insights.

Will the Board of Finance be able to function effectively, especially with respect to the Board of Education budget, if one member has a conflict of interest?

Mr. Finkel, a cost analyst who helped the school board save $164,000 with one of its vendors, said the ethics board and town counsel opinions about him having a conflict of interest were only advisory and he does not believe he has a conflict.

“This is a distraction and it’s been overblown. My work with the Board of Education is completed. I will forego any fees or future business after I am elected,” he said.

The other Republican candidates supported him.

Mr. Carter said that Mr. Finkel did not have a conflict of interest and had he been paid up front by the school board there would be no discussion about it.

Mr. Sargent said he respects the integrity of the ethics board but the conflict of interest does not exist if Mr. Finkel is elected.

The Democrats disagreed.

Mr. Ezzes said he believes Mr. Finkel has a conflict of interest based on recent opinions by the town attorney and Weston Board of Ethics, and if one member has to recuse himself that would leave six other members and possible tie votes.

Mr. Skor said independence is required both in fact and in appearance and encouraged people to read the opinions.

Closing statements

Candidates were given a final chance to connect with the audience through brief closing statements.

Mr. Skor, the operations leader for the treasury department of General Electric, said he is very excited about the opportunity to serve the town.

Mr. Sargent, a banker, and 16-year member of the board, said he is committed to Weston and hopes to retire here.

Leadership is important to Mr. Carter, founding manager of an investment banking firm, and coaching and sports enthusiast. He stressed the 0% tax increase he worked for on the board in 2009.

Mr. Ezzes, portfolio manager for the Mariner Investment Group, said he is glad to be part of the current board which operates well, is collegial and pragmatic, and does not vote along party lines.

Mr. Finkel, a cost analyst with Expense Reduction Analysts, said moving to Weston 12 years ago was the best decision he ever made (other than marrying his wife), and he wants to help the town.