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10/27/2021 09:15 AMThe highest-profile race that Clinton voters will decide is the one between the five candidates for the three seats on the Town Council.
The endorsed candidates for the three open spots on the council are Green Party member Eric Bergman (an incumbent), Republican Tom Hollinger, and Democrats Paul Gebauer, Carrie Allen, and Chris Passante.
The council is composed of seven seats, but its members serve staggered terms to ensure that the entire council can’t be voted out in one election. Under the initial council structure that went into effect in 2019, three of the seven race winners were elected to two-year terms while the other four were elected to four-year terms. Starting in the 2021 election, all council members will be elected to a four-year term.
While there are three open seats on the Town Council, there are also rules that stipulate one party can’t have more than four members elected. That means the Republicans could only nominate and have one candidate win, while the Green and Democratic parties were in theory able to nominate up to three candidates and can win three seats. The Democrats nominated three candidates.
The Harbor News caught up with the candidates ahead of the election to get their thoughts on issues facing the town. For information on all the candidates and all the races as well as letters to the editor and expanded voter information, visit Zip06.com/election.
The CandidatesCarrie Allen (Democrat)
Carrie Allen served on the Town Manager Search Committee and the Sustainability Committee, is the chairperson of the Bike and Pedestrian Alliance Committee, and is on the Arts Council. Allen has been a teacher for more than 30 years and is currently a college professor.
Allen said that voters should choose her because “I feel I recognize the role the council has to play. I don’t know that the current council members do,” Allen said.
Allen specified that to her, the council members don’t weigh in as often they should on ongoing projects.
“I don’t seem to see as many projects discussed as people want to hear and they never seem to have updates,” said Allen.
As for projects she would like to work on, Allen pointed to simple beautification projects like cleaning up area around exit 63 and the entries to town on Route One.
“Those are an entry way to our town. I don’t think it is an impossible goal to clean up and people want it. It’s not a big project, but it does make a difference,” Allen said.
Allen added that she would also like to ensure that the council enforces the proposed blight ordinance the town is expected to pass on Oct. 20.
As for bigger projects she would like to focus on, Allen said that she would check in with other towns in the state that have redeveloped former school buildings to get ideas for Pierson.
Allen said that in talking to potential voters, one thing that voters were concerned about was a lack of communication to the public.
Allen said that she would like to see the town manager use the town website to post semi-regular updates.
“Even if it’s not specifically about what the town is doing, but people want to know what that new building going up on Main Street is, what the new stores going in on Indian River landing are, when the bridge construction is done, things like that would make a big difference,” Allen said.
Allen said that while she has never held an elected seat, voters should not be discouraged from voting from her due to her history of volunteering and working on different projects such as the Clinton Greenway.
“I’m no stranger to volunteering working on projects in town. I know who is in charge of volunteering what and where to go,” said Allen. “For all the experience on the council, I didn’t see them do much,
“I would very much like to be at the table and there’s a lot ideas I have that I would like to be a part of implementing them,” Allen said.
Eric Bergman (Green Party)
Eric Bergman is the Green Party candidate for the Town Council and the only candidate who is an incumbent. Besides his time on the council, Bergman has also served on the Charter Revision Commission and has volunteered with other political campaigns and organizations on a state and national level. Bergman is a longtime teacher at The Morgan School.
Bergman said that voters should elect him because “I believe over the last two years I have proven to be an engaged and effective councilor. I ask the right questions and do the research,” Bergman said.
Bergman said that given his position in the school system and the Town Council he can link the schools and town to get more young people involved without overstepping his roles as an employee or council member.
“I think that’s essential to civic health. I also think I have an insight others do not,” said Bergman.
As issues he would work on if elected, Bergman said, “I want to work toward a senior center and I want Pierson to get developed much faster.”
On the issue of bringing development to Clinton, Bergman said, “I’d like to keep trying to get items in the Plan of Conservation and Development worked on more often. I also want to continue our relationship with the” Council of Governments and Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, Bergman said.
“I also have and will continue to push for a full-time town planner,” said Bergman.
As a third-party candidate, Bergman pledged to work with council members from both sides of the aisle respectfully without compromising his beliefs.
“I think I lead by example. There are members of the council who I disagree with but I still respect their opinions and respect them as a person. I think that’s something our community needs to see more of,” said Bergman. “I’m going to do the research and vote however I think is right,” said Bergman.
As part of the council’s duties, the body is responsible for providing direction to the town manager. Bergman said he approves of the job Town Manager Karl Kilduff has been doing and said, “I think he works much harder than people realize.” Bergman said he would like to see more communication from the town manager to the public to keep residents informed.
In closing, Bergman said, “I’ve been that independent voice and I think I’ve garnered respect.”
Paul Gebauer (Democrat)
Gebauer started the Energy Committee and Sustainability Committee in town. He’s also been involved in school events and the Democratic Town Committee as well. Gebauer recently retired from his 35-year job at the post office.
Gebauer said that voters should choose him because he will be responsive to citizen’s concerns.
“Knocking on people’s doors, we have a sense of what people want and we’re listening,” Gebauer said. “They want better communication and it’s not happening.”
As for other issues that he would work on if elected, Gebauer said, “Downtown beautification is a major issue. The response to that has been huge.”
Asked for specifics on downtown beautification, Gebauer pointed to a study done in the early 2000s that had suggested steps the town could take such as pedestrian walkways behind Post Office Square and the development of the former Pierson School.
“I am happy with the progress on the study on that building,” Gebauer added.
Another issue Gebauer would like to work on is bringing a senior center to Clinton.
“Seniors are upset that they have to go out of Clinton. I think it’s a basic civic obligation to take care of your senior,” said Gebauer.
“I’d also like to see a real commitment to renewable energy,” Gebauer summed up.
Gebauer has never held an elected position in Clinton, but he said that should not deter voters.
“I would say there’s always a first time. There is even someone on the council now [Bergman] who was never elected before, so it’s not new,” he said. “I have experience working hard and trying to make this town a better place more than some people who actually have been elected.”
As for the role partisan politics plays in town, Gebauer said that while he does believe it is a problem, he doesn’t believe it’s a problem that’s unique to Clinton or gotten any worse than in years past. He also pointed out that the vast majority of time the council does vote unanimously.
“You have to stay true to what you believe in but you have to be able to work together and I believe I can do that,” said Gebauer. “I look forward to working with the other councilors and working with Karl. I’ve seen firsthand what people want and I can help.”
Tom Hollinger (Republican)
Hollinger is a current member of the Board of Assessment Appeals and has served on the Board of Finance and the Charter Revision Commission. Hollinger has also been a member of various youth programs including youth sports and a stint as the president of the Clinton Touchdown Club. He works in the financial field, currently for a consulting company that does risk management.
Hollinger said that voters should vote for him because of “the level of experience I’ve had with volunteering in Clinton.”
Hollinger said that if elected, his chief concern would be the financial wellbeing of the town.
“I think I can ensure I offer a lot to ensure we are a prosperous town and make sure we have responsible spending and responsible capital projects,” Hollinger said.
Keeping the town’s bond rating up was also of importance to Hollinger. As for other issues he wants to work on, Hollinger said that bringing development to town is very important, specifically the former Pierson School.
“Years ago, I chaired a group that wanted to look at town-owned properties and figure out what we were going to do with them,” Hollinger said.
When it comes to Pierson, Hollinger said the town must figure out quickly what path it wants to follow with the building.
“One of the options always has to be selling it and putting it on the tax roll,” Hollinger said, stressing that that may not necessarily be the right move, just one the town can’t rule out.
Hollinger also mentioned finding a developer for the former Friendly’s property as a priority, as well as making sure the Indian River Landing development is built to potential.
“I’m quite excited about what is going on in regards to the construction around town,” Hollinger said.
Another area on which Hollinger wants to focus is making sure Clinton’s first responders are adequately supplied.
“I’m a big believer in making sure first responders are adequately financed with staff and resources available,” said Hollinger.
“The last thing I want to see is something limiting what they can do to catch some of these” offenders, Hollinger said in response to the ongoing statewide issue of car break-ins.
Hollinger said that if elected, voters wouldn’t need to worry about him putting politics before the town.
“If anybody would look at my voting record on the Board of Finance, they’d see I never vote by party. I vote by what’s best for Clinton,” said Hollinger.
As for the relationship between the council and the town manager, Hollinger said, “I think we are doing things in a positive way. I think Karl has been very positive for the town,” said Hollinger.
Chris Passante (Democrat)
Passante is a current member of the Board of Education and the Parks & Recreation Commission. Passante has also been a longtime member of Clinton youth sports, where he’s coached basketball, baseball, and soccer. He’s also been involved in various school events over the years as his seven kids went through the school system. Passante works in financial services.
Passante said that voters should chose him because of his dedication to the town.
“I’ve lived here most of my life and I truly want what’s best for Clinton.”
For Passante, one item he would like to work on if elected is improving the communication between the town and public.
“We need a better way that is not Facebook to communicate to the public. I consider myself an informed citizen first, but there’s times I feel in the dark about what’s going on,” Passante said.
Passante said that he would like to see the town manager be the one making more public statements as a way to increase communication.
“I also want to create a climate that supports business, creates jobs, and sets specific economic goals that moves projects forward,” said Passante.
Passante pointed to the former Pierson School as a project he would like to move forward.
“It seems there’s been studies done and charrettes done, and I’m sympathetic that things take time, but this needs to move quicker,” said Passante.
Making a budget that provides for the needs of Clinton residents is anther priority for Passante.
“I have seven kids all of whom went through Clinton schools. So, passing a budget that provides for all our kids is number one to me,” Passante said.
“I also support law enforcement. I want our town to be safe and I want them to be have the resources they need from the Town Council,” said Passante.
As for partisan politics creating an issue in Clinton, Passante said that he believes the council will be able to work above it.
“Some people might call me naïve, but I really think if we work together and take a step back, we can forget politics and do what’s best for our town,” said Passante. “I know Republicans I like and respect and I know we can work together.”
As for something to change about the Town Council and town manager relationship, Passante reiterated that he would like to see the manager play more of a public role.
“I would like them to be more of a spokesperson and a more visible figure,” said Passante.
All Clinton voters can vote at the Andrews Memorial Town Hall. Polls at are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to voting in person, all voters are allowed to vote by mail again this year due to COVID.