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)

Campaign Summary

Do You Want More of the Same?

As the November 3rd elections draw near, I would like to provide voters with a summary of the key issues facing Monroe. Throughout my campaign, I have identified our town’s most critical issues and my plans to address these problems and put Monroe back on the right track I hope you now have a better understanding about these issues and why it’s time for a new direction and new leadership in Monroe.

Teri and I moved to Monroe in 1987 because of the top-quality school system. I believe our schools should be preparing our children for the future, whatever their post-graduate plans may be. As Town Selectman, I will work to preserve the quality of education for the children of Monroe.

In addition, there are three critical issues facing Monroe:

1. Our Roads Are a Mess!

The current Town Selectman, Tom Buzi, has failed to address the conditions of our roads. Potholes, patches and crumbling surfaces have created public safety risks for residents, school buses and emergency vehicles. Mr. Buzi still does not have a written plan for fixing our roads. He also lost a One Million Dollar grant in stimulus money because he did not have a section of our roads shovel-ready when applying for the Federal assistance.

As First Selectman of Monroe:

I will put deliver a plan to prioritize, re-pave and fix our roads. I will call for bids, conduct surveys, and have our roads shovel-ready to meet government funding requirements. I will fully explore all forms of funding, including State and Federal grants, as well as bonding. I will also explore the alternative Green Options that some towns are using to fix their roads. (e.g., Using processed rubber tires as a pavement base.)

2. Failed Economic Development Means Higher Taxes for Home Owners

Tom Buzi has ignored our town’s economic development. In neighboring towns there are thriving corporate office parks and a wide range of retail stores. In stark contrast Routes 25, 34, 110, and 111 have numerous empty store fronts. Businesses in Monroe are not just hurting, they are disappearing! The loss of Vishay, Stevenson Lumber, Robohand and Colony Diner alone will cost the town $157,475 this year in taxes and at least $188,575 next year.

 

To further understand how we got to this place of lack-luster economic growth, please take a moment to read Vavrek’s Vision and you’ll see why 14 years of Democratic administrations have brought us to this place of economic decline.

 

As First Selectman of Monroe:

I will oversee Planning and Economic Development efforts and work closely with both developers and citizens to increase our tax base by:

  • Attracting new businesses
  • Strengthening our existing business base
  • Providing assistance to entrepreneurs and small companies
  • Pursue efforts to bring a sewer system into Monroe.

3. The Re-Evaluation Debacle Wasted Taxpayers’ Time and Money

Tom Buzi mis-managed the re-evaluation process resulting in:

  • A mill rate 22% higher than he promised!
  • 925 taxpayer appeals and 7 lawsuits
  • $22.5 million in technical errors that had to be corrected by the Tax Assessor and $13.5 million in tax adjustments made by the Board of Assessment Appeals
  • $359,000+ in unnecessary expenses

As First Selectman of Monroe:

  • I will be fiscally prudent with taxpayers’ money.
  • I will build consensus within and among municipal departments to generate a more productive and responsive government.
  • I will work hard to restore the trust and confidence of the people of Monroe.

I thank you for your time and consideration as you make your decision for choosing the next Town Selectman for Monroe. I hope you will cast your vote for me and for the Republican Team. As my opponent has stated, “I am a tireless worker for the Town of Monroe.” (Click here.) My family and I have loved living in Monroe. Our daughters Jenn and Jess are Monroe graduates and our family has enjoyed many of the benefits that Monroe offers. If elected, I will work to preserve the quality of life that my family and I have enjoyed and strive to pass on a legacy of greater prosperity for all of Monroe.

Thank You.

Steve Vavrek

Republican Candidate for Town Selectman