Submitted by Monica Prihoda, RTM District 12 Candidate
Integrity, character, transparency, vision, representing and working for the common good of all residents of Greenwich: these are the qualities I look and hope for in a candidate for an elected official.
Election day is Tuesday, November 4. Here in Greenwich, the First and two other Selectmen, the Board of Estimate and Taxation, the Board of Education and all 12 RTM districts are up for election.
Here are some thoughts and questions I hope will be covered in the upcoming debates, presented by the Greenwich League of Women Voters, beginning this Monday, September 29 at 7:00pm. In person attendance registration at Town Hall is full, a livestream of the debate will be provided via GCTV’s YouTube Channel HERE.
First Selectman. The Town Charter makes clear the First Selectman is a full-time position. Beyond the legal requirement, voters want the confidence that their leader’s full energy and focus are devoted to the town, with no conflicts of interest that could influence decisions.
How will you demonstrate that commitment and reassure residents that your undivided attention and judgement will serve Greenwich interests first? Are you presently on any company boards and if so do you plan to resign?
If you do serve on a board, can you clarify for voters whether you will fully commit to the Town position and have no conflicts of interest, or appearance of such, that could influence your decisions as First Selectman? How so?
What are the specific proposals to bolster and protect our coastal Town of Greenwich safety regarding increased frequency and intensity of storms? Residents town-wide remember well the flooding, loss of power and more by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
What specific measures do you propose to calm traffic on our local roads, i.e., rampant speeding, running stoplights and signs and even blinking sign pedestrian crosswalks?
One of the treasures of Greenwich, perhaps the Crown Jewel, is our Greenwich Tod’s Point. Are you in favor of creating a side walk and bike lane for the sake of resident safety from Sound Beach Avenue to the park ticket booth on Shore Road? The power of Eminent Domain is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
What is your solution to protect walkers, joggers, folks with baby carriages and bikers given distracted and speeding drivers?
What are your ideas in the way of affordable housing for people who work here – teachers, firefighters, EMS, nurses, police and their support staff – the lifeblood foundation of Greenwich – and also attract young workers and families starting out and our senior citizens desiring to live and stay here?
Board of Estimate & Taxation (BET). The BET has a critical fiduciary responsibility to the Town.
Will you disclose any financial interests, personal relationships (i.e., employees reporting to you), or pending legal matters with Greenwich that could affect your judgement?
Have you shown the temperament and judgement needed to serve responsibly on the BET?
How do you specifically plan to uphold Town services: public schools, infrastructure maintenance and keep taxes reasonably low?
Board of Education (BOE). The current First Selectman is using taxpayer funds to sue the BOE and is proposing to turn over the Havemeyer Building, the schools’ administrative offices and a public entity to a private entity, a luxury hotel.
As a BOE member, how would you respond to this political pressure, protect school and public assets, and ensure that your decisions reflect loyalty to taxpayers?
How do you feel about being sued as volunteers using taxpayer dollars to fund that action?
Instead of a private entity, how would you propose the Havemeyer Building be used to benefit Greenwich residents?
Elected positions carry much responsibility. I hope and trust those running for election are earnest in their work for the common good of all Greenwich residents.
Thank you for your service.
Respectfully,
Monica Prihoda, RTM District 12 Candidate