The New Britain Herald has asked the candidates in the municipal elections questions on the issues facing our communities.

Today we present a question and answer session with candidates for Plainville Town Council. Following are the answers from those who responded to our inquiry.

Daniel F Hurley, Republican

11 Exeter Ave.

Employer: White Oak Corp. retired as teamster tractor trailer driver

Education; attended college

Military Service: US Army Reserve, Drill Instructor Sgt E-5 Honorable Discharge

Civic and Professional Associations: American Legion Post 199 Past Commander, American Legion Post 33 past Senior Vice Commander, Fredrick Franklin Lodge Masons, founder American Legion Baseball Team in earl ’90s.

What do you see as the town’s greatest challenge now?

The town’s greatest challenge will be to maintain services and not increase the size of its budget. Translating to more taxes which are not what I would like to have happen. We are facing great problems during the next few years of trying to increase revenues for the town, yet not raising taxes to our residents. Our grand list only grew last year at a 0.8 percent. That is not going to really do much to keep increases minimal.

What do you think the town should do with Robertson Airport? Does it need any improvements or upgrades, for example?

As to the Airport we must establish an Aviation Committee of Skilled people, having backgrounds in accounting, aviation, building, maintenance, and other related fields. They will establish along with a fixed base operator-manager the procedures and needs for the future of our airport. They will establish guide lines for the future up keep and advise future councils on how to handle this commitment we have made for our town. Currently the airport is in excellent condition, but planning for the future is necessary and that will be established by the Aviation commission.

Do you think there should be any restrictions on business development in town?

Additional and new restrictions on business in Plainville are unnecessary. Currently many rules and procedures for establishing a business exist in our town. Town Staff and officials enjoy great working relationships with new companies that are trying to start up in our town. There assistance in helping businesses establish themselves here is always being praised by business leaders and company executives. Many new businesses have come to Plainville during the past few years. We need more and that is a priority. Filling the empty buildings and providing great local jobs.

Carolyn W. Cronkhite, Democrat

24 Maxine Road

Employer: Attorney-Owner, The Cronkhite Law Firm, LLC Plainville

Education: Bristol Eastern High School, College of the Holy Cross, UCONN Law School

Civic and Professional associations: Connecticut Bar Association, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association,

Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association Women’s Caucus, Central Connecticut Women’s Forum, vice president; Plainville Democratic Town Committee, Citizens For Educational Equality – President – Toffolon Referendum;

Plainville Recreation Department, youth soccer and basketball coach

What do you see as the town’s greatest challenge now?

The town’s biggest challenge is balancing the delivery of services with the need to keep costs down. As both a resident and business owner, controlling taxes is especially important. Plainville provides great services to its residents and that is why many people choose to live and work in our community. We need to continue to streamline services, develop new businesses and work with state and federal officials on revenue sources while maintaining current service levels and not overburdening taxpayers.

What do you think the town should do with Robertson Airport? Does it need any improvements or upgrades, for example?

The acquisition of Robertson Airport was fantastic for the Town of Plainville. It is one of the many reasons why Plainville is a unique community. There does not appear to be an immediate need for improvements or upgrades but an Airport Commission will provide information regarding infrastructure, usage, marketing and maintenance which the town will be able to incorporate into a long-range plan for the airport.

Do you think there should be any restrictions on business development in town?

Unrestricted business development would not be in the best interest of Plainville. Business development is important to the community but due consideration needs to be given to all aspects of the business in question and how it interrelates to existing businesses, residential needs and overall community impact. There needs to be a balance between continued business development and what’s in Plainville’s best interest.

John Kisluk, Independent

65 Forestville Ave.

retired from local union 777 Plumbers & Pipefitters

Graduated 1966 E.C. Goodwin Tech/ High School and Plumbing diplomas

President of Citizens and Property owners Association of Plainville

Member of Plainville Senior Center

Member of Town of Plainville Capital Projects Building Committee

What do you see as the town’s greatest challenge now?

I see as the greatest challenge facing our town, is how to pay for all the reckless borrowering and spending that has taken place under the Democratic-controlled council, without bankrupting the taxpayers.The refinancing gimmicks to artificially suggest that we are saving tax dollars has to stop.

What do you think the town should do with Robertson Airport? Does it need any improvements or upgrades, for example?

First of all the town has to put intelligent and qualified citizens on the airport commission, not political cronies who don’t have a clue. According to reports on the condition of the airport, I believe that there will be hundreds of thousands of dollars of improvements, repairs and maintenance required in the next five years for the airport to meet FAA regulations.

Do you think there should be any restrictions on business development in town?

The town of Plainville can use all the new business that we can get. The only restrictions that I see are of common sense, such as you don’t build a factory or a large discount store in a residential area. I find it to be uncomprehensible and mind boggling that the Democratic led council would consider imposing fire code inspection fees on businesses in these difficult financial times. Plainville should be trying to attract new business to town and help existing business to stay and prosper here.

Christopher J. Wazorko, Democrat

19 Usher Ave.

Stay at Home Dad

Plainville High School, CCSU

Civic and Professional associations: Town Council, Town Council Chairperson, Team Captain for American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Fundraiser, Board of Directors United Way of West Central Connecticut, United Way of West Central Connecticut Plainville Fundraising Campaign Chairperson, Plainville Lions Club treasurer

What do you see as the town’s greatest challenge now?

Currently, the Town Council’s biggest challenge is clearly the economy and how to keep taxes down. Over the last two years the Democrats have worked hard to maintain services without increasing taxes. Through union, and non union, concessions and assistance from Town staff, the voters have approved the smallest two year tax increase of .8 mills in 20+ years. Moving forward we are going to continue to look for cost saving measures, local and regional sharing of resources, and new avenues to generate revenues.

What do you think the town should do with Robertson Airport? Does it need any improvements or upgrades, for example?

Thanks to the support and work of the citizens of Plainville, Robertson Airport will continue to provide direct benefits to the Town of Plainville for years to come. While there is no immediate need for improvement, there will obviously be replacement and upgrading of the infrastructure in future years. I would like to see an Airport Commission appointed to handle the day to day operations, as well as the Capital needs, of the airport. A creation of a five and ten year capital project plan will outline capitals needs for the airport and help assist the Town in planning for future operational and capital needs.

Do you think there should be any restrictions on business development in town?

I believe there should be restrictions on business development in town. However, careful thought needs to be used to determine the best course of action. Along with the residential taxpayers, businesses are an important asset of the community. Restricting business does not make good sense if it begins to deteriorate the business foundation which helps support town programs and services. We do rely on businesses to help reduce the tax burden on the residents of Plainville and making restrictions without understanding the implications to the tax base does not make sense. Any restrictions would have to be passed with complete knowledge of any potential drawbacks to the infrastructure of the town.

Lynn Szach, Democrat

35 Ledge Road

Employer: UConn Health Center Administrator

Education: Bristol Central High School, CCSU

Civic and Professional associations: Town Council Member, Town Council Vice-Chairperson, Plainville Soccer Board Member, Red Cedar Lake Property Owner’s Board Member, Tri-Chair for

American Cancer Society’s Plainville Relay for Life, 2008; Finance Chair for American Cancer Society’s Plainville Relay for Life.

What do you see as the town’s greatest challenge now?

Trying to keep taxes down while preserving town services. We have been extremely fortunate in keeping our leaf pick-up, garbage collection and bulk pick-up, though we needed to reduce it to once this coming year. Unfortunately with the state of the economy, I believe this will become much more difficult in future years and thus our town’s greatest challenge.

What do you think the town should do with Robertson Airport? Does it need any improvements or upgrades, for example?

I believe that town is moving in the right direction by planning to employ the fixed based operators who have the expertise in running the airport as an airport. I also believe that by setting up an Aviation Commission to advise the council on the needs of the airport, we will stay on top of what improvements or upgrades are needed and when.

Do you think there should be any restrictions on business development in town?

Many areas in our town are a mixture of residential and business and trying to blend the two will require some restrictions, so, yes, I believe there should be some restrictions on business development in town.

Ms. Lee Toffey, Republican

112 Diamond Avenue

Employer: State of CT, Dept. of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Education: Watertown High School, Mattatuck Community College. Ongoing continuing studies through the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, MD, New Mexico Tech and FEMA Center for Domestic Preparedness in various Radiological and Emergency Preparedness and Planning training.

Civic and professional associations: Chairperson for the Republican Town Committee; Senior Vice-President of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 7330; Union Steward for AFSCME Local 538. Relay for Life participant; NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Walk; state agency coordinator for the Governor’s Care & Share food program.

www.plainvillerepublicans.org

What do you see as the town’s greatest challenge now?

Plainville needs to be an attractive place to do business and an effort to bring retail, industry and manufacturing into town needs to be a priority. This is the only way to increase tax revenue without placing further burdens on the citizens.

We must also support our children and schools. We need a better partnership between the Town Council and the Board of Education to supply the needs of the students while addressing the fiscal boundaries that the town can afford. School buildings and academic/athletic choices and performance must be maintained for the good of our children. This can only be accomplished if we all work together and come up with viable alternatives instead of stalemates.

What do you think the town should do with Robertson Airport? Does it need any improvements or upgrades, for example?

One idea can be expansions at the airport in terms of a restaurant, car rental kiosk, shuttle service, etc. This could increase interest for flying into the airport and allow easy travel into Plainville proper to help support the varied businesses that already exist in town.

Do you think th ere should be any restrictions on business development in town?

Although we need to increase businesses - retail, and industrial - we need to be especially careful and review our Zoning laws. I would hate to see Plainville have a fight similar to that which just occured in Southington when VIP decided to locate a store in their town. There should be a dialog between the citizens and the municipal government now on which business opportunities the majority feels would benefit the town. Also, traffic flow and congestion need to important factors when locating new businesses in what may be already conjested areas.

Scott D. Saunders, Republican

55 Fawn Drive,

Employer: ICONN Computer Services, Inc.

Education:

Military Service: Four years U.S. Air Force – Honorable Discharge, Four years CT Air National Guard, Honorable Discharge

Civic Orgs: Serve on the Plainville Inland Wetland & Watercourse Commission, Vice President, Citizens & Property Owners Assoc. of Plainville, Justice of the Peace, Member of the Plainville Republican Town Committee & Executive Board

www.plainvillerepublicans.org

What do you see as the town’s greatest challenge now?

The greatest challenge facing Plainville is our inability to control spending. We’re having difficulty keeping business in town, and homeowners are already over-burdened with property taxes. We need to be ever mindful of ways to attract and retain businesses in Plainville.

What do you think the town should do with Robertson Airport? Does it need improvements or upgrades, for example?

Plainville should use Robertson Airport as a central showpiece in town. We should organize fairs and events to encourage new businesses that will bring visitors to town. Just as Plainville is known state-wide for the Balloon Rally, we could be known for our airport events. With our central location, and easy highway access, people will come. Also, if the economic indicators show that more hangar capacity will bring more plane owners to Plainville, the town should consider partnering with a developer to make that happen.

Do you think there should be any restrictions on business development in town?

I would like to avoid the issues other towns are having with businesses like VIP. I’m for any business not involved in the sex industry.

Were there any cuts to the current budget that made you uncomfortable? If so, what were they?

Not from the town side. Of course, we have no control over the way the school system budgets or spends.

But, I thought it was a cruel political stunt for the administrators to cut Fall Cheerleading.

Do you think the current budget is too high, too low, or just right? I think the base is too high, and that causes problems with inflationary increases each year. The past 10 years has seen a dramatic increase in spending. We need to take a breath, and pay off the debt we’ve already incurred.

What steps can the town take to continue to provide services while keeping taxes low?

One of the best ways we can save money, and thereby keep services, is through consolidation of services between the town and the school system. We also need all municipal departments to try and eliminate any wasteful spending. If we want to keep current services, we need more businesses to generate tax revenue for the town, or property taxes will have to rise.

Robert Anderson

5 East Broad St.

Retired

Education: Plainville High School, CCSC, Moody School of Accounting

Military Service: National Guard

Civil and professional associations: Sports programs

Web: RAzmmer54@aol.com

What do you see as the town’s greatest challenge now?

To explore revenue sources that will keep our taxes down and control town expenses.

Working together will enable us to achieve this goal.

What do you think the town should do with Robertson Airport? Does it need any improvements or upgrades, for example?

Being that we spent money and bought the airport, let’s upgrade a little bit, working with the airport commission that’s about to be chosen and generate ideas people can bring to the table to be discussed.

Do you think there should be any restrictions on business development in town?

No. The more restrictions on business development in town, the fewer businesses will come into our town. Let’s make it easy to open a business, not hard.

Did not respond

Robert Ciotto, Democrat

Jason Rupaka, Democrat

Philip Cox, Republican