Francis Launches Re-election Campaign

Durham First Selectwoman Laura Francis wants to continue leading the town. This weekend she launched her re-election campaign in front of more than three dozen supporters at town hall.

During Saturday’s mid-day gathering, Francis, a republican, emphasized her commitment to the town, specifically noting efforts made on behalf of the town’s elderly and youth populations during her first term in office.

Currently, the seniors are enjoying the benefits of a senior lunch program offered at the Senior Café, a senior tax relief ordinance, and activities at the r. At this time, Francis said she is also waiting to hear back on an $18,000 grant, which would be used to pay for a foot care clinic.

When turning to the town’s youth, Francis said her mission has been to get them involved and offer more opportunities to make them a part of the town. Specifically, she has provided opportunities for them to serve on boards and committees such as the Clean Energy Task Force; she has implemented the Workforce Alliance Youth Employment Program, which enhances job opportunities and has applied for a $10,000 Connecting Kids with Cops grant, which the town should hear back on this summer.

Also during her speech, Francis highlighted an increase in government efficiency.  Francis pointed to a reduced town hall staff, which resulted in three less employee benefits packages, the facilitation of a multi-town bid process for public works contracts and an updated building and health permit fee-ordinance. Francis also said that the town has received the 2010 and 2011 Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA) Risk Management Achievement Award.

According to the CIRMA website, those who receive a CIRMA Achievement award signify the best in both municipal and school risk management.

“They created a culture in which safety and loss control is not an afterthought, but a part of every activity,” says the CIRMA website. “Their risk management initiatives enable them to deliver the high quality public services their citizens need at a cost they can afford.”

During her time in office, Francis also took numerous public safety measures, including the implementation of an Emergency Notification System, which Francis said was first used during an explosion in Middletown.

“People felt their houses shake,” said Francis. “We never thought the first time we’d use the system would be to tell people they were safe.”

With the aid of the Emergency Notification System, Francis said that before local broadcast stations had even picked up the news, the town was able to inform it’s residents of the situation and let them know they were safe.

Other safety measures taken under Francis’ command were the formation of a Citizen Emergency Response Team, a Public Safety Executive Committee and a Public Safety Facility Renovation Planning Committee. The town is also now taking part in the 9-1-1 reflective house number program, ensuring that emergency personnel are able to find locations quickly and easily during times of trouble.

Financially, Francis has attained numerous grants for the town, which include Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants for waterline improvements and a Groundwater Under the Influence Study, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants for new equipment for the resident state trooper and energy upgrades at the library, and a Local Road Reduction Grant for up to $375,000.

On a different note, Francis briefly addressed the Durham Fair menu, offering free servings of Gelato to everyone in attendance on Saturday, noting that she is waiting approval from the fair to serve Gelato rather than the traditional pie and ice cream this year.

When asked what she learned during her time in office, Francis stressed the importance of communication and working for collective, rather than individual goals.

“The key to success is to listen and be open to the will of the people,” Francis said. “Leadership is not so much about trying to further your own goals and ideas, but trying to facilitate the goals and ideas of the people who live here.”

If re-elected to a second term, Francis said she will focus on providing Main Street with clean water, finding a permanent space for the Public Works Department and continuing to improve the town’s infrastructure with projects such as road resurfacing and culvert replacement.

Francis closed her speech by telling the community what an honor it has been to call herself the First Selectman of the town of Durham.

“It’s been a pleasure,” Francis said. “It’s been the greatest honor and privilege of my life to serve and with your support I hope to serve another four years.”