This man criticizes Picard, but refuses to take responsibility for all the damage he caused the residents of this city. He played a shell game with his budgets. In fact, the auditing firm he hired to do the ‘04 budget had to come back and restate its figures showing that Borer's $6 million surplus was actually a $4 million deficit. If we had not won the election in 2005 this budget fraud would have continued. Anyone can claim a balanced budget if you misuse grant money, over-bond, and put bond reimbursement money into your operating budget.

The truth is the Borers left this city in the worst financial mess imaginable.

  The good news is that Rich Borer isn't mayor anymore. The bad news is that he is attempting to get back into City Hall via his wife. People should be reminded that the only difference between what happened in West Haven and what happened in the corporate world with companies like Enron and Tyco is the federal government held those officials accountable. Perhaps they will realize what was done to the people of this city and do the same here.

 I believe that in order to effectively lead this city you have to have a plan -- a real plan. Picard’s opponent, the former mayor's wife, has a platform that promises much to many. However, in order for her to produce on her platform’s promises she would need millions of dollars in additional revenue as well as make cuts in city services.

Let’s talk about her platform. First she speaks of fire consolidation. She offers it as a solution but does not explain how she will absorb the $90 million in the unfunded pensions. In order to consolidate, that under-funded pension must be made whole. Will she be raising taxes or borrowing the $90 million bringing our debt to more than $330 million? Let me remind you, that on the staggering $270 million debt her husband created by continually bonding, we  are paying  $20 million a year in principle and interest. This represents 7 mills, or $1,500 per year to the average taxpayer. Can we afford another $90 million? That added debt would mean an immediate increase of almost 3 mills to your taxes. There is a correct way to consolidate and we will address it over the next two years. Mayor Picard plans to appoint a panel to look at all aspects of consolidation. But promises he will not put the burden on the backs of the taxpayer to do it.

Our opponent also proposes tax relief and contributing more money to education. If only it were that simple. Where will she get the money to do these things? It would seem to me that she has learned nothing from the mistakes of her husband. Or maybe she has:. Lie to the public. Tell the public what it wants to hear just so you can win the office of mayor.

We won't do that. The mayor and council know the truth is painful. We see the average person struggling to make ends meet. The difference between us and the Borers is that we have a plan, and we know it's working. How do we know?

In 20 months we have been able to pay off $47 million of our debt. The mayor has worked diligently to bring in new business. He is not afraid to make the tough and unpopular decisions. He has not forgotten that the people of West Haven elected him to do a job. They put their faith in him straighten out the mess of his pedecessor.