STAMFORD — There are six candidates operating for 4 open seats on the Stamford Board of Finance this 12 months, however just one seat is actually up for grabs.
The 2 Republicans at the moment on the board are up for re-election this 12 months, however neither is operating. Frank Cerasoli is searching for a seat in District 15 on the Board of Representatives, whereas Kieran Ryan will not be competing in any native races.
The Board of Finance operates beneath a minority illustration rule, which stipulates not more than 4 of the six members could belong to the identical celebration.
And with solely two Republicans operating within the November election — present Board of Consultant members Dennis Mahoney and J.R. McMullen — every is assured a spot on the board, to interchange the 2 outgoing Republicans.
In order that leaves one spot accessible, and the winner will come out of a discipline of three Democrats: Present board chairperson Richard Freedman, and challengers Robert Barocas and Leo Zygelman.
Freedman, 57, is the president of Backyard Properties Administration, a household actual property funding enterprise primarily based in Stamford. In an emailed message, he mentioned the Board of Finance has been “a superb steward” of town’s funds, notably throughout the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when the board determined to not increase taxes.
“I want to proceed my service on the Board of Finance to assist guarantee continued sound governance beneath a brand new mayor,” he wrote.
Barocas, 63, is a senior director with Normal Electrical.
When requested via e-mail why he’s operating for the board, Barocas wrote that he can be a frontrunner on the Board of Finance and “work seamlessly throughout and inside all businesses each domestically in Stamford and on the state-level.”
He mentioned he would “foster new pondering and instill applicable change to rebuild the fiscal coverage wanted to modernize crucial infrastructures and make marked enhancements within the public college system,” the place each his youngsters attended.
Zygelman didn’t reply to requests for remark.
McMullen, 61, retired from IBM after 30 years as a monetary analyst. He at the moment works seasonally for H&R Block.
“I’ve been involved with the Metropolis’s strategy to the finances and spending course of since my first expertise with the method in 2013,” he wrote, in an emailed assertion.
He mentioned he can have extra of an influence on the six-member Board of Finance, versus the 40-member Board of Representatives.
“The town needs to be anticipated to finances the identical manner our residents must,” he wrote. “Set up the finances’s bottom-line up entrance then construct the element round that finances.”
Mahoney, 58, is retired.
When requested why he’s operating for the finance board, his response was temporary: “To make sure Stamford is a viable and profitable place to reside and lift a household.”
Mannis, 74, is a retired authorities relations government, having labored for the mayor of New York Metropolis and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Beforehand, he additionally served on the Stamford Board of Schooling.
“If elected my hope is to proceed the work I’ve achieved for the final two years,” he wrote, in an emailed message. “Now we have had success containing taxes throughout the time I’ve been on the board and been a cohesive voice for fiscal integrity but in addition for forward-looking coverage in getting ready town’s finances.”
ignacio.laguarda@stamfordadvocate.com
