Harkins: 'We Have More Work To Do'

Stratford Mayor John A. Harkins made his case for re-election. Then he announced his intent to run for a second term this fall.

Harkins delivered his annual State of the Town address to local business leaders and town officials Tuesday at Oronoque Country Club.

The mayor gave a laundry list of accomplishments, selected highlights of his administration since taking office in December 2009. He then formally declared his campaign for re-election, which was received with a round of standing applause.

"It's an honor to be mayor of Stratford," Harkins said. "The state of Stratford is strong."

The mayor cited several areas of improvement since being sworn in as Stratford's second mayor.

"Properties idle for years are now being addressed," said Harkins, referring to contaminated properties in Stratford, many of which are tied to the Raymark Superfund site.

The mayor noted the creation, under his administration, of a local authority charged with getting those properties, called brownfields, remediated and back on the tax rolls. He also pointed out recent progress at the former Stratford Army Engine Plant, with the General Service Administration (GSA) selecting a developer to redevelop the 78-acre brownfield.

"Stratford is growing in many ways and we should be proud to call it home," Harkins said.

Among the other topics touched on in the mayor's speech were:

• Ongoing energy-saving initiatives at schools and town buildings;
• A budget for next fiscal year that "holds the line on spending and continues to invest in economic development" in Stratford;
• Helping local businesses like Two Roads Brewery secure grants;
• Attracting new businesses like St. Vincent’s Medical Center, which will open a walk-in clinic this summer at the former Marsh Floors location at 3272 Main St.;
• And attracting new housing projects like the new development at the former Keating Ford location at 1055 Stratford Ave.

Harkins concluded his speech with the announcement of his re-election campaign.

"We have more work to do," he said.

The annual event where the mayor delivers his State of the Town address is sponsored by the Stratford Chamber of Commerce with Stratford Rotary. Non-members could attend for a $25 fee.

Frank Netter, a Stratford Rotary member who owns an insurance agency in town, spoke to Stratford Patch before the speech. He said he has confidence in Harkins.

"I know him personally," Netter said of Harkins, a past president of the local rotary. "He's a conscientious type of person, knows a lot of people in the community and doesn't show favoritism."

The only other candidate to formally announce a mayoral campaign is Democratic hopeful Joe Paul.