'We Will Continue to Grow This Town Together'

While surrounded by a who's who of prominent Republicans from around the state, Monroe First Selectman Steve Vavrek stood behind a podium at the Stone Barn Friday night to announce his intention to seek a third consecutive term as the town's top official.

Through his 26 years as a Monroe resident and involvement with community organizations, often in leadership positions, Vavrek said he knows for fact that "People in Monroe do not care about politics ... We just want to see results!"

The first selectman said residents want to see roads fixed, buildings maintained, snow removal during winter storms, safe schools, an excellent school district and a great public library and park system.

"We do not want the past Band-Aid fixes that continue to plague us to this day," Vavrek said.

"By being involved in the community for so many years, you get to know families and families get to know you. Monroe is a very small town in many ways as many people know each other's faults, but they also cheer every accomplishment, " he continued.

"What the people want is truthful communication about what is going on in every facet in town," Vavrek said. "Through Facebook, Twitter, other social media, a weekly newsletter and being at many town events all year round — not just at election time, I have communicated to the people and, more important, I have listened to their concerns.

"Has there been some times tougher than others? Yes. When you are trying to change a system that has been reluctant to change, not everyone will be happy. That's a given.

"But at the end of the day, again, people want to see results. Together, we've come a long way in the past four years. With your continued trust and support we will continue to grow this town together. Thank you for your support for the next two years as your first selectman."

Town Support

Vavrek's wife Terri, daughter Jessica and mother-in-law Gertrude Rieber were among the family and friends gathered at the Stone Barn for his announcement.

Monroe Republican Town Committee Chairman Jeff Guttman, Town Council Chairwoman Enid Lipeles and Vice Chairwoman Deborah Heim were among the local officials on hand to show their support.

"I'm very proud and happy that Steve is running for his third term," Guttman said. "He's done tremendous work for Monroe in his first and second terms, and I expect that he'll make even greater strides in a third one.

"Steve is a very personable. Everybody seems to like him and he really cares about the town of Monroe, not just the Republicans in Monroe, but everybody in Monroe. I look forward to working with Steve yet again for another two years as our first selectman."

Backing from GOP Heavyweights

Republicans from around the state came to express their solid backing of Vavrek's candidacy.

Jerry Labriola, the chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party, was in attendance, along with Danbury Mayor Mark D. Boughton, Newtown First Selectwoman Patricia Llodra, Trumbull First Selectman Timothy Herbst, former Trumbull First Selectman Ken Halaby, Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti and State Rep. Jason Perillo.

State Rep. DebraLee Hovey and State Sen. Kevin Kelly, the two Republicans from Monroe's delegation, could not attend due to prior engagements.

Labriola called Vavrek a "great, dedicated public servant".

"When you have a municipal CEO of the caliber of Steve Vavrek, I don't see why you would even have an election," Labriola said. "Let's all pull together and have this great guy re-elected."

Llodra congratulated Vavrek, but also took the opportunity to thank all of the citizens of Monroe for the extraordinary kindness shown to Newtown after the tragic school shooting. Monroe allowed Sandy Hook Elementary School to use its Chalk Hill building as a temporary location.

Herbst said of Vavrek, "Without hesitation, he stepped forward and offered a building that helped a community to heal. Everything he said he would do, he'd done: Fixed roads, got difficult budgets passed ... He's a good man. I'll do everything I can to help him get re-elected."

Boughton said Vavrek knows how to come up with a vision and bring it into action. "Every day, Steve puts people ahead of politics," he said. "This town should send him back to office overwhelmingly and I know they will."

Lauretti said mayors always work together to get things done, adding, "Steve emulates that."

Town Democrats' Reaction

Dan Hunsberger, a Democrat serving on the Inland Wetlands Commission, had announced his intention to make a run for first selectman prior to Vavrek's announcement that he will seek a third term.

On Friday, Guttman said, "Dan Hunsberger, from what I know about him, seems like a nice person. I understand he has a law practice. I just hope he's running for the right reasons. Not just for someone to challenge Steve. Not just as a name on the ballot. I wish him the very best. I just hope this can be a nice election and not something people talk about in surrounding towns."

Vavrek said, "My opponent's a good guy. God bless him," but added the town is going in the right direction and can't afford to go back.

When reached for comment Friday night, Hunsberger pointed out that neither he nor Vavrek have been formally endorsed by their political parties at this time.

"I really don’t have a comment," he said. "Regardless of who the candidates for the Republicans and the Democrats are, we have an election in November and between now and then, the people will be the ultimate decision makers in the process."

Democratic Town Committee Chairman Nick Kapoor said, "I think it's interesting that Steve announced so late. If you look back two years ago and four years ago, we were well underway by now. If he thought the people of Monroe were so confident in his abilities, you would think he would have declared much earlier."

Kapoor criticized Vavrek's penchant for bringing up the problems of Monroe's past.

"Steve talked about cleaning things up, but he is three plus years into being Monroe's first selectman and the question I have asked in public is, 'How long can you use the phrase cleaning up the mess? When does it start becoming his problem that we are seeing in town?'"

Of Vavrek saying the people want truthful communication, Kapoor said, "That's interesting, because we just had a conversation at the Town Council about an amendement for Honeywell that no one knew about. So I think using the word 'truthful' is a little untruthful."

Kapoor expressed agreement with Vavrek's contention that Monroe has a problem with small town politics, but added having two sides inspires healthy debate and articulates "the message of what elected officials feel is best for the town."

Kapoor also expressed his belief that Vavrek has shown a lack of vision and management at workshops during the town budget cycle.

"Former first selectmen arrived with their sleeves rolled up, stayed for the entire meetings and knew most of the line items," Kapoor said. "I think Dan can bring that to the table. He's a lawyer with extensive experience with negotiating and management — and that's what the first selectman is supposed to be. He's the manager of the town."