A Question of Commitment

Editor's note: Democratic candidate Olivia Gombar, a retired school teacher, is up against Republican for the 5th District Town Council seat.

I am the Democratic challenger in the 5th District. In a recent media post my commitment to the town of Stratford has been questioned. I actually welcome this challenge as it gives me the opportunity to open a dialogue with the Stratford Patch community and to correctly inform this audience just how strongly I am committed to Stratford and to District 5.

I have lived in District 5 for 42 years. I raised my two sons on Wiklund Avenue and they attended Stratford’s elementary and middle schools. As a teacher, myself for 42 years in Bridgeport, I understand academic issues from the point of view of the budget, the classroom, the teacher, the administrator, the students and their families.

Through my exposure to the many diverse cultures represented in the Bridgeport Public schools, I bring to District 5 a unique perspective and appreciation for the individuality of each school and each neighborhood. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. From this background I bring to the families in my neighborhood a commitment to provide district schools that are clean, inviting, safe and well-staffed with quality professionals dedicated to student achievement.

Education has always been a priority in my life and I would make this also a priority for Stratford’s municipal government.

I am a CT senior citizen and widow living in what is described as the fourth out of eight worst states in which to retire. I am living on a fixed income in a state which taxes my retirement income, along with any outside earnings and purchases, burdens me with outrageous utility, gasoline and insurance costs, and inflicts medical insurance premiums that are enough to create illness in themselves.

Not only are seniors in this state injured with these charges but this town also adds insult to it. Year after year of Stratford property tax increases coupled with service decreases just makes no sense … except if this town government is TRYING to force decent lifelong Stratford residents to leave.

I bring to District 5 a firm commitment to fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency of municipal government. Not an easy task, I’ll admit.

In 42 years I have watched District 5 depreciate to the point where my best offer for my updated and well-maintained home was 50,000 less than what I paid for it 7 years ago. Stratford’s high taxes have forced many of our senior homeowners out of their homes and have chased away first-time home buyers.

District 5 neighborhoods have been further devalued by abandoned and neglected properties. Neighborhood blight need only be exampled by 171 College Street, a completely blighted property for more than 3 years now. After years of unsuccessful efforts at reaching some resolution of this property situation, now a month before an election, we see a sign posted on a tree indicating foreclosure.

I will bring District 5 neighborhood blight to the attention of Town Hall in hopes that some clean up will take place in a timely way and we can begin to salvage whatever value is left to our homes.

My commitment to this town runs deep into my soul. I have served on Stratford EMS as an EMT for 6 years during which time I logged 1400 hours of volunteer service. I have reached out in this capacity to many neighbors and would do it all over again in a heartbeat. My son’s Eagle Scout project was to construct the steps and walkway down from the Shakespeare Theater to the docking area.

I hope this response along with further responses sheds some light on the question of my commitment and what I bring to the town of Stratford.