This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
08/11/2015 11:41 AMThe Independent Branford Voters Party, founded by Jacey Wyatt in 2013, is again endorsing Wyatt as its candidate for First Selectman in Branford's municipal election, making it a three-party race.
As previously reported at Zip06, the Branford Republican Party has endorsed incumbent First Selectman James B. Cosgrove and incumbent Second Selectman Joseph Higgins to run for second terms in November; while Branford's Democratic Town Party is backing first-time candidates Mark Rabinowitz for 2015 First Selectman and Jack Ahern for Second Selectman.
Wyatt's 2015 campaign marks her second run for First Selectman as an Independent candidate. She currently holds an appointed seat on Branford's Parks and Open Space Commission.
In a statement issued to Zip06 on Aug. 11, Wyatt said she announced her run on Aug. 7 and had filed the required nominating petition with signatures for inclusion on the ballot.
As she did in 2013, Wyatt's name will appear on the voting ballot as a candidate for other elective offices in Branford's municipal race. She is also running as 2015 Independent Branford Voter's candidate for an open seat on the Board of Education and Representative Town Meeting (RTM), representing District One. Wyatt noted her 2013 bids for elective municipal seats pulled in about 10 percent of total votes town wide.
During her campaign, Wyatt said she will ask voters to support her as First Selectman and also encourage them to vote for Ahern as Second Selectman, "...as this is a team I would like to work with," she said. The Independent Branford Voters Party is not officially cross-endorsing Ahern.
In her statement to Zip06, Wyatt said she will focus on "...equality of all, no matter what race, gender, political status." She listed factors she would focus on improving as municipal leader including, "transparency, budget, taxes, salaries, population, business, economic development, education plans, current proposed town building plans, the solar panel contracts and tourism: Branford village, golf course and timeshares and hotels."
With regard to development, Wyatt stated she's concerned that, "Branford is not attracting the right developments for Branford; and we need an architecture review board for all buildings that come to Branford, not just the town center district; and a new and town-wide master plan."
As a member of the town's Parks and Open Space Commission, Wyatt said, "I do have concerns about the current developments that might not be a right fit for our plan of conservation."
Wyatt noted if she became a member of the RTM in 2015, among her "key efforts" would be to create full-time positions for the Town Clerk and Tax Collector, which are both currently elected two-year term positions.