Beth Krumeich: Why I Am Running For First Selectman

Why I Am Running For First Selectman?

I am running for First Selectman because I will bring a different perspective to Town government.  I will be an effective leader in Town.  My running mate, Drew Marzullo, and I will seek better solutions to key issues facing Greenwich. 

It is time for a change. My opponent, Peter Tesei, is running for a fourth term.  He is a good man with a fine family but he is the embodiment of the status quo.  He has been running for public office since he was a teenager and is a career politician. He and his running mate, David Theis, have vowed to continue to do what they have been doing and will foster the old boys’ network.  That is not good enough. We need to address issues facing our schools, our budgeting process and our infrastructure. 

We will position Greenwich so that families are attracted to the community.   Greenwich buildings and facilities need to reflect the unique character of the Town.  Facilities have been allowed to decay; infrastructure is dilapidated. 

We are wasting millions using short-term bonds to pay for long-term projects. Greenwich abandoned true pay-as-you-go financing long ago. MBAs learn the “present value of money”: money paid now costs more than money paid later. Paying for projects over 7 years is much more expensive than costs spread over 20 years.  It is unfair to current taxpayers to pay the entire cost rather than raising revenues over the project’s useful life. The new Central Fire Station is an example of a facility that will be paid for in 7 years when it will have a useful life of 20-50 years.  Why should we burden the taxpayers today with short-term bonds for long-term projects? 

Financial experts have told the BET that their approach is “risky” and that other communities are financing their debt more conservatively.  Why haven’t we begun taking advantage of the low interest rates and financed long-term projects with long-term financing? We need to use flexible options for payment plans for long-term financing. 

Eastern Greenwich Civic Center should have been replaced years ago but it has been bogged down in committee for a decade. The Northwest Greenwich Fire House was shunted aside because, in part, the study of town-wide fire coverage requested by the BET was never completed. Needed drainage and flood control projects have been delayed and deferred because the First Selectman has stubbornly resisted smart long-term financing. 

I will lead Greenwich rather than simply manage it.  I have practiced as an attorney in the private sector and served as an in-house counsel for many years.  During this time, I handled many types of corporate transactions and know how to bring parties together to reach consensus. 

Efficient leadership requires long-term planning to identify problems and initiative to implement solutions. Too often town needs are unmet because consultant reports are unheeded or matters are delegated to committees where reforms languish.

I will bridge the gap between town and school officials because excellent public education is the cornerstone of Greenwich’s future.  My leadership as a president of the League of Women Voters, Co-President of the North Street PTA, Secretary of the Central Middle School PTA and the Junior League, and Co-Leader of a Girl Scout Troop has given me a broad background from which to lead the Town.  My work with the PTA gave me insight into the budget process as I witnessed the strained relationship between the Board of Education and the Board of Estimate and Taxation.  I can bring the stakeholders together and lead the discourse regarding the School Budget that not only supports the current programs, but also paves the way for capital projects. 

As a wife and mother I was saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life to bullying. We can do more to coordinate the Town, the schools, public safety officials, private agencies and the community to educate teachers, students and parents as to how to prevent and stop this type of behavior and help children who are being bullied.

Drew Marzullo and I will lead the Town’s response to key issues. We will campaign energetically and reach out to voters to urge them to vote now because the future of Greenwich is too important to be left to the few old guard to decide.

Vote smart. Vote for change on November 5.