Reprinted from The Connecticut Post © Copyright 2008
March 18, 2008

This past week, I joined many of my fellow Trumbullites in hearing First Selectman Raymond G. Baldwin Jr. deliver his 2008 "State of the Town" address. Instead of offering a detailed explanation as to the merits of his proposed budget, the first selectman spent a great deal of his speech denigrating the Trumbull Planning & Zoning Commission for higher taxes.

In his address, Baldwin indicate that the P&Z is "so anti-business that companies have bypassed us totally." Baldwin was asked by P&Z Chairman Timothy Herbst to please identify one business that would not come to Trumbull because of our zoning. He responded that this information was "confidential."

The current first selectman sent out re-election brochures where he personally took credit for the new Sikorsky building on Quarry Road, the Unilever expansion, the new Target at the Hawley Lane Mall, and a series of professional offices approved on the Route 111 corridor. Each of these projects generates millions of dollars in tax revenue for Trumbull, and the zoning board approved all of these projects.

In his address, Baldwin stated that "[o]ur current state of financial affairs, however, is not a spending issue ... it is a resource issue." I couldn't disagree more. Trumbull has a spending problem.

Nearly 40 positions have been added to the town side of the budget since Baldwin took office. He pushed through a $100 million bonding package without allowing taxpayers the right to have their say. In addition, $40 million of unfunded pension liability has yet to be addressed. Baldwin's first six budgets (2002-2008) reflected a 6 percent compound annual increase - far above the acknowledged national annual rate of inflation (3 percent to 4 percent).

In corporations, the chief executive officer always takes the blame for a poor fiscal quarter; for Trumbull, it should be the chief elected official that takes the blame. More innovative and creative ideas are needed to offset a potentially devastating impact on Trumbull's future. Suggestions to decrease the budget and implement efficiencies for cost savings are needed for both the Board of Education and town side of the budget.

It's time to do more than meet with residents monthly to explain the budget process. It's time to try and offer ideas to improve the economic condition for all residents. Trumbull voters deserve better.

Jack Testani
Trumbull