Low and behold waiting for me in my mailbox this afternoon was Wallingford's independent (not Democrat any more) Mayoral candidate's flyer which sure looks almost like Mayor Dickinson's flyers. Imitation is the best form of flattery that one can receive. In trying to disect what the Trzcinski flyer slammed the Mayor on is interesting. Wallingford, like all communities in Connecticut is mandated to have reevealuation of property values. This increases the grand list for towns and shows in many cases how property values have gone up in a five and or ten year period. Guess what! The last property reevaluation in Wallingford (done at the peak of the real estate boom) showed property values dramatically up which in turn forces taxpayers to pay more in property taxes even though the mill rate has gone down. The flyer states that "For the average resident taxes have risen 88.6% since 1996!" Oh really? I feel I am an average taxpayer living in the same home for 23 years now. Since 1996 my taxes have gone up about 37% not 88.6%, that amounts to about 3.5% a year not 8.9% as the flyer states. I wonder where that figure came from?
Then there is also a mention of Community Lake ... since 1979. How critical is that for the town's future? Bringing back Community Lake is more of a luxury for tax payers than a necessity.
What about "The building on Rt.5 which has been in foreclosure since 1989?" There are several environmental cleanup issues at that location resulting in a stalled resolution to that problem.
What are the Lucille for Mayor solutions to all of these issues? I do not see any in her copy cat flyer I just received. It's easy enough to say we need long range strategic plans but what are they?
I think in Wallingford everything is going well because our community is governed by people who care and by a Conservative, non-egotistical Mayor who puts the town's needs first over any form of political glory (glory in my opinion just waiting for it to happen by the other two candidates). I have taken a second look at what's going on in Wallingford and I still like what I see. I will again vote for Mayor Bill Dickinson and the Republican candidates for Town Council and Board of Education. Real leadership for Wallingford.
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I receive email updates that include blogs and articles that include Mayor Dickinson's name and it becomes frustrating to hear some of the commentary that is written. How important to the average taxpayer is the rehabilitation of Community Lake or the construction of a one-sport complex? I can appreciate a blog that focuses on the infrastructure of the town and the big picture. I find it amusing that Dickinson cannot be attacked on issues such as Wallingford's electricity rates, the general lack of crime in the community, its school system, and the dedication his leadership has brought to preserving open space. Obviously, my feelings toward this election are biased but its nice to read thoughtful commentary on the state of affairs in Wallingford.
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