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Health & Fitness

Stratford's FD Public Safety 'Poster Child'

Questions linger about the Stratford Fire Department's endorsement of John Dempsey.

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

Last month the Stratford FD made a unique endorsement of a political candidate and party for the coming election -- Republican Councilman John Dempsey District 5.

I have lived in Stratford and District 5 for 40 years now. During that time I have had my home on Wiklund Ave burglarized 5 times -- in three of those instances mattresses and all electronics were removed from my home in broad daylight. 

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My response was to organize a Neighborhood Watch program, which my neighbors willingly supported. I also had a former neighbor operating a drug dealing business right next door to my home. With my cooperation, the PD actually set up a “sting” in which the individuals were apprehended.

We also experienced a murder on Wiklund Ave of an elderly woman -- the case ended up being related to the same drug people. All of these instances are typical of what District 5 residents and me experience -- just read the police logs each week.

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Residents like me have appealed to the Stratford PD for increased surveillance not only for our homes and neighborhoods but also to stop the outrageous traffic of speeding cars, drag racing and other speeding vehicles which endanger civilians and depreciate our neighborhoods. 

At a Council meeting two years ago I approached Councilman Dempsey on the subject of traffic violations and he referred me to the PD.

This past month a new business opened on the corner of Franklin Ave and Boston Ave -- District 5.  This business is a discount wine and liquor store. I immediately informed Councilman Dempsey of the concerns I had over this business. He was not aware of it at the time. 

Franklin School children pass by this business (they sell soda) and so do the parishioners of Holy Name Church. Stratford Zoning approved this business. I feel this store also presents a security issue for our neighborhoods as well as a traffic hazard and parking issue. Councilman Dempsey did follow up with another PD referral, I was told.

At my urgings finally, one vacant and derelict property on College Street has been cleaned up of overgrown shrubs and weeds. Councilman Dempsey was not aware of this property but after I told him about it, he did respond to the issue. However, there are many others including the one right on Canaan Road across from Clover Field. These abandoned and blighted properties present a District 5 security issue by encouraging vandalism and the setting of fires.

So I pose the question: If the FD claims this endorsement is based on Councilman Dempsey’s “tireless dedication to serious issues” and his “repeated ... showing of dedication to public safety,”  where is the evidence? 

Councilman Dempsey is not a member of the Public Safety Committee or the Traffic Commission. But he does serve on the Pensions Board. Did they base this endorsement on the value of councilman’s engagement and commitment to the resolution of district safety and security issues or ... was this endorsement based on the value of Councilman Dempsey’s lack of engagement on the Pension Board? 

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