Jason Santi's Statement on Andre Ely's Back Taxes

Dear Democrats in the Fourth District:

As a life-long resident, I care deeply about our town and neighborhoods. As Councilman, I worked hard to ensure our district was treated fairly with the services we have come to expect.

Unfortunately, I did not receive the endorsement from a majority of the Democratic Town Committee members to continue the fight for our district. However, thanks to the overwhelming support from my fellow Fourth District residents, we forced a primary on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013.

Public service is a higher calling that demands integrity, honesty and commitment.  Elected officials are voted into office by the people to represent their interests, listen to their concerns and share in their sacrifices.

I am proud to have been given the privilege of being your councilman in the Fourth District for four years. I humbly thank you for this honor!

With that being said, concerned citizens came to me with disheartening information about my opponent, who has not paid his back taxes. He owes the town almost $10,000.

Those who decide not to pay their fair share and not follow the rules cost you and I an increased tax burden. This unpaid money does not go to education, street improvements, public safety and other services that we count on. This disappointing information has been confirmed through public town hall records.

Is it fair for an elected official and partisan insider to not pay his taxes, while deciding how our tax dollars are best spent? Is this not a gross double standard and shouldn’t elected officials and those who seek public office be held to the same standards of integrity, honesty and commitment that we would hold ourselves to?

It is unfair to those who fell on hard times and are making good faith efforts to pay their taxes through payment plans and other means. There is a distinct difference between hard luck and those cheating the system.

I stand by my record and commitment to Stratford and the Fourth District. I don’t think it’s an unfair or unrealistic expectation that my opponent do the same. I hope you judge me by my record and what we have accomplished but also acknowledge there is still work to be done.

Please help me continue to represent and fight for our district by voting for me on Sept. 10 in the Democrat primary at Franklin School on Row B.

Sincerest Thanks,

Jason Santi

Fourth District Councilman