Civility and a surprising amount of agreement marked the first debate between Republican First Selectman Tim Herbst and Councilman Mary Beth Thornton, his Democratic challenger.
The debate, which took place at a packed Frencthtown School auditorium, focused mainly on Town Charter revision, town finances and education.
Speaking first, Thornton told the audience she was a Trumbull native who had left town to pursue her career, before returning to raise a family.
“My dedication to the town has been unwavering,” she siad.
Herbst used his opening statement to tout the accomplishments of his first term.
“Two years ago, I heard the voters loud and clear,” he said. “The status quo was not working.”
He said the town’s financial health was strong, and Trumbull was heading in the right direction, “but much more work remains to be done.”
In response to the first question, Herbst said he favored Charter revision that would automatically subject capital expenditures over $15 million to a public referendum.
“Town debt affects our debt service, which drives property taxes,” he said. “Voters should be part of the process.”
Thornton said she mostly agreed, though she added that she thought the $15 million trigger for an automatic referendum was “a bit arbitrary.”
Thornton also said she though another Charter revision, subjecting the Board of Education budget requests to review by the Town Treasurer, was in conflict with state statues.
“My understanding is that this provision does not comply with state law,” she said. “If elected, I would ask that this question not be honored.”
Herbst said the Charter Revision Commission’s proposal had been reviewed by town legal counsel, and that other communities had similar budget review.
“The Board of Education derives its funding from the taxpayers,” he said. “You can’t take the approach that it’s separate and apart.”
Both candidates tread carefully around a question regarding the proposed T-Mobile cellular towner on Edison Road. The tower would boost emergency radio communications in town, but it also has been source of concern for neighborhood residents.
Thornton, who voted in favor of the tower as a council member, said there was consensus in town that police, EMS and fire personnel needed a higher tower.
“The issue is people didn’t have a voice,” she said. “Now, they do.”
She said the concerns of the emergency responders, T-Mobile and the neighbors could be worked out through dialog.
Herbst, who also approved the tower as chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission, said Thornton’s concern for the neighborhood was a recent development.
“If she has such concern for the people, the Town Council should have done its due diligence,” he said. He pointed out Thornton had made a council motion to classify the tower as emergency legislation, meaning the tower would have been fast-tracked.
In response, Thornton said Police Chief Tom Kiely had asked for the tower to be emergency legislation, and that at the time there had been no opposition.
“The Town Council did not understand the needs of the residents,” she said.
Thornton’s most direct criticism of Herbst was in response to a question about municipal bonding. Herbst advocated bonding capital expenses such as roads, which have a useful life of more than 20 years.
But Herbst has also included items like town vehicles in bonding packages, Thornton said.
“If we move expenses into bonded debt, we can keep our tax increases artificially low,” she said. She compared bonding items like a Public Works truck to placing such items on the town’s credit card.
Herbst defended the purchase, stating that work trucks have service lives that easily reach two decades.
“When I took office, I rode in plow trucks that date back to 1985,” he said.
Both candidates had essentially the same position on economic development and regional sewer issues, but split on rectifying the town’s under-funded pension fund.
Herbst advocated taking strong action to move town employees to defined contribution plans beginning with newly hired employees. This would gradually reduce the town’s pension obligation through attrition, he said.
“When the United States and 13 towns in Fairfield County saw their bond ratings reduced, Trumbull retained its municipal rating and all the rating agencies cited our strong action on reducing our pension obligations,” he said.
Thornton favored a more subtle approach, saying she would work with the municipal unions to see if there was common ground.
“I would work with the unions to make sure they’re part of the process,” she said. “I don’t think bold action will work when dealing with the unions.”
Herbst said the time for half-measures had passed.
“For 20 years we kicked the can down the road,” he said. “Now, the day of reckoning is here.”
A question about education priorities, which was awkwardly worded and included full-day kindergarten, Charter revision and school reconfiguration, tripped up both candidates.
Thornton, who answered first, said there were numerous issues facing the schools, including some that were not apparent right now. She said she favored full-day kindergarten, but expressed concern about class sizes and reduced programs at Trumbull High.
“I’m in favor of full-day kindergarten, but it requires space and funding, and I don’t know where we’ll put it or how we’ll pay for it,” she said.
Herbst endorsed revised election procedures for the school board, pointing out that six of seven board seats currently are appointed by the political parties.
“The people of Trumbull should elect their board, all seven members,” he said.
Herbst also called full-day kindergarten a “fundamental difference” between himself and Thornton.
“We’ve talked about it for a long time, but we haven’t implemented it,” he said. “The time is now.”
Finally, both candidates spent their two-minute closing statements making their best pitch for votes.
Herbst, speaking first, said he had the necessary attributes to lead Trumbull forward.
“Tough times demand tough decisions,” he said. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, but there is more to be done.”
This election, he said, voters faced a choice between moving forward or moving backward.
“The choice has never been more clear,” he said. “I don’t believe people want to relive the days of high taxes and spiraling finances.”
Thornton called Trumbull “a place that values family, traditions and education.”
If elected, she promised to be a leader that helpd the town through the current tough econonic climate.
“I understand government and education are service-oriented,” she said. “We ask people to do more with less, but need to give them the tools to do so.”
By Donald Eng
Reprinted from “The Trumbull Times” © Copyright 2011