"Steve's strong family values and management skills will serve the citizens of Monroe well."

--Ben Delpolyi, President, Yankee United Soccer Club

Steve's Audio Clip

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

Endorsements

"Steve Vavrek has delivered for Monroe. He is the rare leader that actually accomplished what he said he would-- a budget passed on the first try that balances the needs of taxpayers and students, road repairs and infrastructure improvements, and competent, responsible town government. Steve Vavrek has proven he is a great leader for a great town."

--Dan Debicella, Former CT State Senator

Endorsements

“I am proud to announce my support for Steve Vavrek. He has proven himself to be a capable leader by guiding the Town of Monroe through a time of economic uncertainty,” said State Senator Kevin Kelly (R-21). “As First Selectman, Steve showed dedication to making our community a better place by rebuilding roads, encouraging business, and supporting education for our children. Steve Vavrek is the right leader for Monroe, and I look forward to working with him in the future.”

State Sen. Kevin Kelly was elected to the State Senate in 2010 and is currently serving his first term. Sen. Kelly is Ranking Member of the Aging Committee and Insurance and Real Estate Committee and also sits on the Commerce Committee and Regulations Review Committee. He represents the towns of Monroe, Seymour, Shelton, and Stratford.

--October 24, 2010 – State Senator Kevin Kelly today announced his endorsement of Steve Vavrek for First Selectman of Monroe

Key Issues

Issue #1:  Our Roads are a Mess!

After 14 years of Democratic administration, Monroe’s roads are marred with potholes, patches and crumbling surfaces, resulting in public safety risks for residents, school buses and emergency vehicles.

As First Selectman of Monroe:

I will put into place a plan to re-pave and fix our roads.

 

Issue #2:  Re-Evaluation Debacle!

The current First Selectman misrepresented the re-evaluation process surprising taxpayers with a mill rate increase 22% higher than the original mill rate he promised.  The re-evaluation debacle generated 925 taxpayer appeals, 7 lawsuits, $22.5 million in technical errors that had to be addressed by the Tax Assessor and $13.5 million in tax adjustments made by the Board of Assessment Appeals.

As First Selectman of Monroe:

I will make sure that information will be accurate and taxpayers will know what is expected! Also, there needs to be a fair balance between the residential and commercial tax burden.

Issue #3: Failed Economic Development!

The current Selectman of Monroe has ignored our town’s economic development. Local business owners are frustrated.  Strip malls are half empty. Developers have been turned away from our town.  Pepper Street development is at a standstill.  Many businesses have closed and/or moved out of Monroe. Our Town Selectman has completely disabled our Economic Development Commission.  We have lost four major businesses costing the town $157,475 this year in taxes and at least $188,575 next year.

As First Selectman of Monroe:

I will actively oversee planning and economic development efforts and work closely with both developers and citizens to increase our tax base and to maintain our quality of life.  We need to aggressively make Monroe an attractive place for businesses, creating a strong tax base and increasing local jobs.

Issue #4:  Education:

The current First Selectman has not worked well with the Board of Education.  Rather, he has created a fractured and disjointed relationship to the detriment of our schools.  He has added positions to the Town Hall staff while 20 positions were cut in Education.

As First Selectman of Monroe:

I will work directly with the Board of Ed. to create a much needed healthy working relationship for the benefit of all our schools.  The quality of a town and its schools are one-and-the-same.  Both sides of the budget NEED to be managed to complement the other.

 

Bottom Line:

Fourteen Years of Democratic administration has delivered SIGNIFICANTLY higher taxes, stagnant economic growth and a lack of vision for Monroe.

 

As First Selectman of Monroe:

I will work to restore the vision for Monroe’s economic health; create a productive and responsive town government; and rebuild a better quality of life for the deserving people of Monroe.