Asking a Different Question: What Does Stratford Need?

Editor's note: Olivia Gombar is running for the 5th District Town Council seat against incumbent John Dempsey.

I have been reading each and every response to Robyn Greenspan’s blog post, , and comparing them to comments on my past blog posts. 

Even though the topics are different, in my opinion, the responses seem to meld into one central consensus. Achievement Gap. Although stated in many different ways, it was my strong impression that readers feel our potential to achieve does not match our actual achievement. 

Stratford is an “underachiever.”  So how do we close this gap? Go backward and return to the nostalgic, accept the status quo, blame others time or ... change the political atmosphere in this town?

Speaking now as a private citizen:

There is an election for municipal offices in a few weeks. We have the opportunity to choose the type of leadership we feel will close the Achievement Gap and change the political atmosphere in this town. This election is not just a flash in the pan with everything returning “back to normal” when it’s over. We are in an “emergency situation.”

I have spoken to residents who strongly fear that without the right leadership to turn this town around, in the near future we could end up bankrupt.

This election is serious. Stratford needs leadership. Not politicians just looking as far ahead as the next election but leaders who think in the future generations.

Stratford needs leaders who have the courage to try something. Leaders who have the ability and expertise to recognize a problem and address it using good common sense solutions.

Stratford needs leaders who do what they say they are going to do according to their convictions, not according to drops in the polls or the advice of what campaign managers think voters want. Stratford needs leadership that is not afraid to speak to voters and respond to voters. FDR became famous for his fireside chats, earning trust and empowerment from Americans. 

In today’s world, the qualities of future leaders is more critical than ever. In Stratford, with our major resources for economic growth slipping right through our fingers, it’s everyday leaders that are exactly the type of heroes we need to close the Achievement Gap. 

I plan to join the consensus of voters who are no longer willing to accept the status quo. I am hoping Stratford and our nation elect men and women who will change the culture in government from career politicians to patriotic citizen legislatures whose only interests are in representing their communities. I plan to hold our elected representatives accountable, which means I’ll be paying closer attention to what they do ... rather than what they say. 

I feel that election times are like end of marking periods and filling out the report cards. Voters have the grading power and I hope the courage to pass along those who score high marks for effort and achievement and not only leave behind but replace those who don’t.  It’s the teachable moment.