Bad Politics Right Here in Oxford.

In response to the recent publication and letters to the editor in Voices this week, it is important to address the issue directly. In February, when I informed George Temple that I intended to run for First Selectman, I also told him that I would run a clean and respectful campaign. We shook hands on that promise, and I have kept my word.

Unfortunately, recent publications from Mr. Temple and his supporters have chosen a different path, spreading misinformation and personal attacks. That is not the kind of politics Oxford deserves.

I will now make this promise directly to the people of Oxford: my campaign will continue to be honest, respectful, and focused on solutions. Every statement I have made has been truthful. My focus remains on the issues that matter most: Transparency, Education, Public Safety, Taxes, our volunteers, seniors, veterans, and so much more.

Leadership in Oxford should be about building trust, solving problems, and working together to create a better Oxford, rather than focusing on labels and tearing each other down. We are better than that. I am committed to leading with integrity, transparency, and with pride that our community deserves.

Serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission means making decisions that balance individual interests with the long-term goals of the whole community.  While we always strive to listen and be fair, part of the responsibility sometimes involves saying “no” to proposals that don’t align with our zoning regulations or the comprehensive plan.  It’s never personal – it’s about upholding the standards that help guide smart, responsible growth.”  

While knocking on over 1,000 doors in Oxford so far, residents have occasionally asked me, “Why are you running against George?”

I’ve supported George for 10 years, helping with many of his seven campaigns. When he last ran, he mentioned he might not run again. I told him I wanted to throw my hat into the ring, and he said, “You are my first choice.” For the past two and a half years, he’s been mentoring me for the role.

This February, I told George I was launching my campaign. He told me he hadn’t yet decided whether to run. I was surprised and a little hurt that my mentor was still considering running. I promised to run a clean and respectful campaign, and we shook hands on it. Months later, he chose to run again. I was able to beat him at the caucus using many lessons he taught me, and now he has decided to continue to the primary.

George and I agree politically on many things, but where we differ is in our professional backgrounds. He’s a lawyer. I’m a business owner. In business, I must sell a product or service that people are willing to pay for. We don’t have the luxury of increasing taxes to generate revenue. I believe I can drop our mill rate and improve our services.

I will work to restore our senior center to the gold standard it was a decade ago, enhance our parks, reinstate stipends for volunteer first responders who save us millions each year, and find creative ways to generate revenue without increasing taxes.

The Primary is September 9th. I ask for your trust, your support, and your vote.

I do not support state mandates that override our town’s authority over housing decisions.

Hartford has been advancing laws that strip local control over where and how housing is developed. These decisions belong to us, not to bureaucrats or developers looking to bypass our rules.

Why our town is vulnerable:

• Our planning and zoning regulations are outdated, and our Affordable Housing Plan from 2018 is still unfinished. This invites proposals in locations that don’t match our town’s long-term goals.
  
• We lack a Planned Development District (PDD). Without it, developers and lawyers are trying to write projects on their terms. That is unacceptable. We must write our own PDD to ensure development works for our community, not against it.
  

Why our housing numbers are misleading: For almost a decade, the town has failed to claim credit for affordable and workforce housing already built. The state’s 1.9% figure is wrong. Correcting this record is essential to stop unnecessary pressure for projects in the wrong places.

My priorities are simple and non-negotiable:

• Write our own PDD, housing plan, and zoning regulations now, not years from now.
  
• Document every qualifying home so the state has accurate numbers.
  
• Maintain complete local control over development to protect our town’s character.
  

This is not about blocking housing. It’s about defending our community’s right to decide its own future, based on facts, not false numbers or outside mandates. 

As members of this community, we’ve heard directly from Oxford residents, especially our seniors, about how rising property taxes are making it increasingly difficult for them to stay in their homes. Many of these individuals are on fixed incomes and have spent decades contributing to our town. They deserve better.

Our senior population is not only significant but also one of the largest demographics in Oxford. These are the people who built our community, volunteered and worked in our schools and community, raised families here, and paid into the tax base for years. Now, many are being forced to choose between staying in their homes and making ends meet. Our seniors are our parents and grandparents who raised us and provided for us; now it is our time to help them.

When this concern was raised with us, we didn’t just listen; we started exploring some real solutions. We are actively exploring a plan to implement Age-Restricted Property Tax Relief for qualifying seniors in Oxford.

This won’t be an overnight fix. It will require collaboration with the Board of Finance, coordination across departments, and thoughtful planning to ensure it’s done in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner. However, it does not place a tax burden on the rest of the town's residents.

After further investigation, we confirmed what many had already suspected. This type of relief is permitted under Connecticut state statute, and 128 towns in Connecticut have already adopted similar programs. There’s no reason Oxford shouldn’t be among them. This program is optional for seniors. Please read more for yourself. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0222.htm

Giving our seniors options is better than giving them nothing. 

We believe in a town where our seniors are respected and supported, not taxed out of the homes they’ve built their lives in. We’re ready to do the work to make that belief a reality.

As a business owner, I’ve always had to think creatively about revenue. In business, you can’t simply raise prices whenever you need more money; you have to develop products or services that people are willing to pay for. I believe the same mindset can be applied to Oxford. Imagine if we could lower your taxes while improving the services you receive. I have identified several practical ways to generate additional revenue for the town without increasing taxes.

1. Bill insurance companies for Fire Department services.

A few years ago, I came upon an accident where our Fire Department was cutting someone from a car, clearing the road, and cleaning hazardous fluids from the crash. I thought, 'Why are taxpayers footing this entire bill?' Many towns invoice insurance companies for accident response and cleanup. If Oxford did the same, that revenue could be directed straight back into our Fire Department for equipment and training. With taxpayers currently contributing close to $1 million annually to the department, this approach could save hundreds of thousands of dollars and boost morale by allowing the department to fund itself in part.

2. Expand Ambulance capabilities with Advanced EMTs.

By training our current EMTs to become Advanced EMTs, Oxford could respond to more calls, generate additional revenue, and reduce the tax burden for emergency medical services. This upgrade would save the town hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.

3. Secure our Public Works recycling center.

Our recycling center is currently open to all at no cost, but contractors and out-of-towners have discovered this and are taking advantage. By implementing simple checks and charging appropriate fees to non-residents and contractors, we can protect taxpayer dollars and generate new revenue.

4. Adjust police department billing rates.

Oxford’s police officers currently assist utility companies and contractors performing roadwork at rates lower than those in surrounding towns. By aligning our rates with those of neighboring communities and earmarking the resulting funds for police vehicles, equipment, and training, we can enhance public safety without requiring additional taxation.

5. Reinvest savings into community services.

By applying these revenue-generating measures, Oxford could save millions. Those savings should allow us to lower the mill rate while reinvesting in programs for seniors, updating our parks, and addressing other community needs, making Oxford a town where everyone feels proud to live.

As the town looks ahead to its next chapter of civic leadership, residents, educators, and parents are voicing renewed interest in strengthening the relationship between the Board of Education and municipal leadership, while also calling for more visible celebration of student achievement.

One of the recurring requests among parents and community members is for the Board of Education to reinstate regular student recognition at public meetings. These ceremonies, once common, showcased accomplishments in academics, the arts, community service, and other areas. Supporters say bringing them back would reinforce the value placed on student excellence while fostering stronger connections between schools and the broader public.

“Recognizing the hard work our students put in is an easy, impactful step toward rebuilding trust and school pride,” said one parent at a recent community event. “It sends a message that we see them, and we support them.”

The discussion around restoring student recognition is taking place alongside a broader conversation about stability in school with the current Town leadership. Since 2010, the district has seen eleven superintendent changes:

1. Dr. Judith Palmer (until 2010)
2. John Connelly (interim)
3. John Malvey (brief tenure)
4. John Connelly (interim again)
5. Dr. John Reed (Dec. 2011 – June 2012)
6. Tim Connellan (2012 – May 2014)
7. Dr. Anna Ortiz (2014 – 2019)
8. Dr. Jason McKinnon (2019 – 2021)
9. Dr. Rob Miller (2021 – present, term ending in 2025)

10. Steve Adamowski (interim 3/24/25 - 7/1/25)

11. Dr. Ralph Marino Jr. (Hired July 1, 2025) Welcome to Oxford!

All of these leadership transitions have taken place during the tenure of the current town administration. While each superintendent brought value in their own way, the frequent turnover has made it difficult to implement long-term initiatives and has raised concerns about systemic support for education leadership.

Despite these changes at the top, the district maintains a strong 93% staff retention rate, just below neighboring Monroe’s 95%. Officials say this signals stability within the teaching ranks and points to a dedicated and resilient faculty.

Education funding continues to be a major topic of discussion, particularly around unfunded state mandates, which require districts to meet certain standards or implement programs without providing matching financial support. These mandates place increasing pressure on local budgets and staff, with the Board of Education often left balancing community expectations against limited resources.

Some residents believe the relationship between the Board of Education, the Board of Finance, and Town Hall has been strained for several years, with budget negotiations occasionally turning adversarial. They argue that collaboration, not conflict, should guide the process moving forward.

With this year’s municipal elections approaching, many residents are looking to new leadership to help reset the tone. Candidates Luff and Boroski, running for First and Second Selectman, have been mentioned by supporters as potential bridge-builders who could help repair relationships between town officials and the school district.

“There’s a real opportunity here for a fresh start,” said a longtime resident. “We need people who will bring all sides to the table—Board of Ed, Finance, parents, teachers—and work together on what’s best for students.”

Luff and Boroski have signaled a desire to promote transparency, unity, and stronger engagement across all levels of local government. If elected, residents say they hope the pair will prioritize education partnerships as a key part of their agenda.

Beyond governance, residents are also calling for more visible support for a wider range of student activities. While athletics often receive strong turnout and praise, families would like to see Board and administrative presence at arts events, academic competitions, and student-run initiatives as well.

Special education remains a concern as well. Advocates are encouraging the superintendent and district administration to meet directly with the teachers’ union and classroom staff to better understand challenges and identify solutions collaboratively.

With the start of a new school year and election season upon us, the conversation around education is growing louder and more hopeful. Many in the community agree that the ingredients for success are already in place: dedicated educators, passionate families, and a strong student body.

The Reality why Voters are Changing Parties.

After reading Cathleen Walsh’s letter to the editor in the Voices on 8/27 last Wednesday, I followed up with Jeff Luff and mentioned her comments. Jeff immediately broke out laughing and said, “Are you serious? They honestly think we have that kind of power of persuasion? If I had that kind of power, I’d have no problem winning the seat for First Selectman!”

As Jeff and I have knocked on approximately 1200 doors so far in Oxford, we’ve learned firsthand why so many unaffiliated & Democrats are changing their party affiliation to Republican. It has nothing to do with our “powers of persuasion.” Instead, it’s because there are a lot of very unhappy people mad enough to change their Party affiliation to vote someone out. We have been told many times that the current administration has completely turned its back on residents who are not in their party, failing to answer letters & emails, and ignoring phone calls, as well as refusing to address questions or concerns.

We’ve met many lifelong Democrats and Independents who are fed up. They want to meet us, grill us with questions, and make sure we’re not going to treat them the same way. Our answer is simple: every Oxford resident deserves to be heard and respected, regardless of their political affiliation.

Cathleen Walsh’s letter is a compliment to our supposed powers of persuasion; we appreciate it. For now, our focus is on unifying Oxford by working with all residents, regardless of their political affiliation, and ensuring that every voice in our town is heard and matters.

Oxford needs New Energy and to keep our Oxford Values….

The Oxford Scoop is a political publication designed to inform Oxford residents about the real issues and challenges facing our town… Many of which are often kept out of public view. Too often, important matters are hidden behind bureaucracy, leaving the average resident unaware of what’s really going on.

This paper was not written to attack or discredit anyone. It was a collaborative effort by individuals who serve on various town committees and oversee different departments. These contributors felt it was important that the public be made aware of ongoing concerns. Most of them wanted their names hidden in fear of retaliation. Every effort was made to present the information respectfully and factually, without resorting to mudslinging or personal attacks. Everything shared in The Oxford Scoop can be verified by speaking with people who work closely with Town Hall or other town employees.

If you’d like more detailed information, you’re always welcome to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. However, be aware that the FOIA process is slow—it typically takes 30 to 60 days—and there are costs associated with copying documents or fulfilling your request. In today’s digital age, such delays are unacceptable. Residents deserve faster access to public information—ideally within 24 to 48 hours.

At its core, The Oxford Scoop was created to inform, unite, and empower the people of Oxford. Our goal is to shed light on the town’s operations and promote transparency, accountability, and community involvement

Please read it: https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/d1ad9592-4eb5-4dec-9762-9da8d3d985f8/downloads/9e182cde-c307-4e51-a13a-38f161d606c1/first-paper.pdf?ver=1756596760500