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OpEd: Be Part of the Solution

Those who have been paying close attention to Branford government in recent years will not be surprised by the gamesmanship that has been played by the DaRos administration.  For those who are newly-focused, however, recent events confirm the worst.

From personal experience, I know that DaRos and his “team” are serious about restricting free speech and limiting civic involvement.  Two years ago when the RTC proposed me to fill the Board of Finance seat being vacated by Republican Lorraine Young, DaRos and Fran Walsh refused to second the nomination and give it due process.  Only weeks later, and after much public pressure and some personal reflection, did Walsh reverse his position, at which time DaRos refused to cast a vote.  I served 2 years on the BOF, taking seriously my responsibility to advocate for taxpayers and hold government officials accountable for responsible spending.  This apparently rubbed DaRos the wrong way.

When the term came up for renewal this summer, the RTC re-nominated me to the same position and DaRos and Campbell again refused to second the nomination.  Neither Democrat was able to give a coherent reason for his refusal, and they (ironically) called me “political” in defense stubbornness.  To add insult to injury, DaRos and Campbell subsequently refused to second the RTC nomination of John Opie to the same post.  They did what they had always planned to do:  nominated and voted in Kurt Schwanfelder, who had been promised the seat by the Democrat administration in some backroom deal.

This lack of fairness and manipulation of process is not new.  DaRos strong-armed his way through Tabor, the Senior Swap, Farm Act 490, Founder’s Village, the Halloran Report, the Costco development and other nominations to boards and commissions.  His tactics are nothing short of back-room, old-style, Chicago.  Those who aren’t with him, are against him.  No other opinions or ideas are tolerated.  His way or the highway.

But, politics is a dirty business and perhaps DaRos’ dictatorial tactics could be ignored if they weren’t costing Branford taxpayers a lot of money and serving as a terrible example to other town leaders.

Finance Director Jim Finch is best situated to quantify the cost of this administration’s maneuvering, but adding together the Tabor fiasco, related frivolous law suits, the personal vendetta against the Cooke family, foregone proceeds from not selling the BOE building, lost tax revenue from stymieing the Costco development, and the expense added by never, ever asking town departments to reduce their budgets, my guess is that DaRos has cost this town more than $30 million in a few short years.

More dangerously, he has created a culture in which lying, subterfuge and manipulation are acceptable.  You only have to look as far as Andy Campbell and Hamlet Hernandez to see the ripple effect.  Campbell will say or do anything that is politically expedient in the moment (even if it makes little sense).  Hernandez is continuing to delay and manipulate the Walsh soundproofing issue, making a mockery of hard-working parents’ attempts to create an effective learning environment for their children.  How long will it be before all town officials get the message?  Do whatever you want to protect and expand your own fiefdom....don’t worry about serving the citizens, being honest or working together.

No one is perfect.  And even the best public servant occasionally strays from what is best for the people he or she represents once in a while.  But, years of doing the wrong thing, the wrong way, at great cost to the people of Branford is DaRos’ modus operandi.  He has created a problem for Branford that is bigger than the First Selectman’s Office, bigger than any political party, and bigger than any isolated squabble.  He condones lying, cheating and manipulating through his own example.  He sends the message that such conduct will be tolerated and that honest public servants “need not apply.”

Thank you to each person who has shown up at a public meeting, read local articles and blogs, and made the time to understand the issues.  Thank you to many who have stopped me in church, the grocery and the street or sent letters, emails and messages of support.  Thank you for caring about this town.

And thank you Wayne Cooke.  It’s not easy to stomach the fight, and for many years, Wayne has been a lone voice arguing against DaRos.  He’s put a lot on the line to fight for what is right.  And, whether you agree with his theatrical approach or not, he has done much to turn a spotlight on important issues.

It is possible that something good may yet come out of DaRos’ reprehensible conduct if people realize the extent of the damage he has inflicted on our small democracy.  If we start demanding honesty of our leaders and are committed to getting involved personally, we can turn this town around.  Let’s use our right to free speech to send a message.

It’s time for a change.

Be part of the solution.  Hang a sign.  Write a letter to the editor.  Post on a blog.  Attend a public meeting.  Talk to your neighbor.  Send DaRos a letter.  Send your RTM member a letter.  Volunteer to serve.  Run for office.  Vote. 

Jennifer Aniskovich

Nonprofit Advisor

Branford