Manchester Democrats: We Respected the Trust You Put In Us

In 2009 the Democratic Team for the Board of Directors pledged to listen, lead and plan for a better Manchester.  Let’s take a look at how things have changed:

• While listening to the taxpayers of Manchester say that they want to maintain services while keeping taxes low, the Democrats have continually reached across party lines to pass two bi-partisan budgets. The Republican way in the prior term was to shout down taxpayers at the podium and pass a partisan budget without ever trying to reach across the aisle to the Democrats. The Republican Platform sounds like Manchester has unlimited resources, we are in a time when resources are scarce and we are fortunate to be able to hold onto what we have.
• Democrats on the Board of Directors lead by operating as a nine-member board, not a five Democrat four Republican Board. The Democrats treated the Republicans with respect and each idea was heard and decided upon based on merit, not who proposed it. 
• The Board of Directors has been involved in all kinds of planning over the past two years and it hasn't been along party lines. We believe that there isn't a Democratic or Republican way to operate the Library, redevelop Broad Street or improve and maintain water and sewer service in Manchester. Based upon his comments, the Republican Chairman thinks that there is a Republican way to plan these important aspects of our community. 
• I said on Election Night 2009 that “the voters have spoken and it is up to these nine people to lead Manchester for the next two years.” Obviously, the Republicans want to make Manchester into another Washington, D.C. The Republicans criticize the Democrats on the Board of Directors and Board of Education that have not voted along party lines. This demonstrates that if the Republicans were to gain control again Manchester would lose the civility that the Democrats have cultivated over the last two years. I don’t want to return to business as usual. The hyper partisan politics of the 2007-2009 Republican Board of Directors has been replaced with a Board that reaches across party lines. This should continue.
• The Democratic led Board of Directors has appointed over 30 Republican and Unaffiliated voters to Town Boards and Commissions over the last two years. Democrats, unlike the Republican Board of 2007-2009 have made appointments based upon a resident’s skills and desire to serve, not a resident’s party affiliation. From 2007 to 2009, the Republicans replaced every single Democrat that they could regardless of what knowledge, skills or commitment he or she brought to the table. This is a disservice to Manchester.
• I am pleased that the Democratic Legislative Delegation in Cooperation with a Democratic Board of Directors and a Democratic Governor were able to deliver millions in state bond money for Broad Street Redevelopment. The Republican Board of Directors failed to bring home the first state dollar, even after former Democratic State Representative Ryan Barry had millions for Broad Street included in the 2008 to 2010 State Budget. The Republican Board of Directors under a Republican Governor couldn’t even get it on the State Bond Commissions Agenda. It took Democratic State Senator Steve Cassano, a Democratic State Legislative Delegation, and a Democratic Governor to get Broad Street moving again. Deputy Mayor Diana and the Democrats on the Board of Directors delivered for Manchester saving local taxpayers millions. 
• Democrat and Republican Board of Education Members over the past year have come together to work toward an even better school system that delivers a good quality education. Have there been problems in Manchester Public Schools, yes. But to suggest that the Republicans have a better way is ridiculous. There are nine members on the Board of Education and they are ALL working together for the best interests of our children and to suggest that they are not is misleading the public. 

This Democratic Team is involved in Manchester because they love the town that we live in. I don't think that the people of Manchester want the Republicans to bring back times of partisanship when we have developed an atmosphere of cooperation over the past two years. We have been responsible with tax dollars, we have maintained services and we have treated the public and the elected leaders of the Manchester Republican Party including their Chairman with dignity and respect. The same cannot be said about the last time the Republican party was in charge.

The Democratic Team gets it. I am very proud of the wonderful people that have stood up to serve this year and I am excited that, working together, we can continue to build a better Manchester.