Steve's Audio Clip

Click Here to listen to the Audio from WMNR's Fine Arts Forum featuring our own Steve Vavrek!

Endorsements

"I am very excited to have Steve Vavrek as a candidate for First Selectman. Steve brings to the table a wealth of leadership background balanced with community involvement and dedication.  Steve is a great listener and is able to include differing perspectives and move forward positively.  He will lead Monroe with head and heart and help grow us into a community that has resources for continuing our quality of life.”

-- State Representative DebraLee Hovey (R-112)

About The Referendum

The Budget Referendum is a long-standing tradition in Monroe.  Elected officials put the budget together and then the voters are given the opportunity to either accept or reject the proposed budget. It is not unusual for a budget to go through 3, 4, 5 or even 6 Referendum votes before being approved by the taxpayers. In March 2008, 80 percent of those who voted (43 percent of the voter population) elected to keep the Referendum process.

Tom Buzi Opposes the Budget Referendum

  • In 2007, Tom Buzi attempted to eliminate the Referendum process. In a Letter To The Editor, Buzi points out that approximately 2,000 voters turn out for most Referendums, which is about "10 percent of the voter population in Monroe and roughly 15 percent of the entire electorate."  Buzi states:  "Our budget process essentially creates rule by a Minority in Monroe....Minority rule in Monroe must end; it jeopardizes Monroe's future."
  • In a follow-up letter to the editor (2007), fellow Democrat Michael Visconti said, "I am in total agreement with the views Tom Buzi expressed in his letter regarding Monroe’s budget. This budget referendum process is a farce. Why is it a farce? Because our elected officials lack the strength or guts to make some tough decisions. When are the First Selectman, Town Council and the Board of Finance going to demonstrate some leadership?"
  • In a letter to the Chairman of the Charter Revision Commission (2006), Mr. Buzi states: "Unfortunately, our Town's budget history is littered with mistakes attributed to the will of the voters where what was really required was strong leadership by principled elected officials who not only take the will of the people into consideration but also understand Monroe's requirements."


Steve Vavrek's Position on the Budget Referendum Process:

  • Monroe’s Voters have spoken loud and clear that they want to keep the Budget Referendum. I respect their decision. However, I also believe that the Voters need to trust their elected officials more than they do when it comes to the budget. As Vice Chairman of the Town Council and a member of the Board of Finance, I have first-hand knowledge and experience with the budget process in Monroe. My conviction is that our elected officials have a fiscal responsibility to carefully create a balanced budget that meets the needs of our entire community.

As First Selectman of Monroe, I will always work hard to gain and maintain the Trust of Monroe's Voters.

-- Steve Vavrek