Enfield council candidates focus on a issues including blight, cannabis

Oct. 29—ENFIELD — Candidates running for the 11-member Town Council in November want to tackle a variety of issues — blight, economic development, recreational enhancements, and the controversial marijuana sales ban.

Nine council members — six Republicans and three Democrats — are seeking re-election on the traditionally Republican-dominated panel.

It was along party lines in September — with six Republicans in favor, three Democrats opposed, and two council members absent — that the council approved a measure to ban the sale of newly legalized recreational marijuana by businesses in town.

Afterwards, the Democratic Town Committee announced that if voters elect a Democratic majority on the council, they will overturn that ban.

Republicans seeking re-election are Mayor Michael Ludwick, Joseph Muller, and Lori Unghire, who are all running for at-large council seats, while Joseph Bosco seeks re-election to District 1, Kelly Hemmeler to District 2, and Charlotte Riley to District 4.

Two Republicans are not seeking re-election — Carl Sferrazza, who held an at-large seat, and Donna Szewczak, who served in District 3.

Democratic council members running for at-large seats are Robert Cressotti, Gina Cekala, and Cynthia Mangini.

In District 1, which includes the Southwood Acres neighborhood, voters will choose between Bosco, and Democrat John Foxx, who replaced Anthony DiPace on the ballot due to DiPace's bout with illness.

Bosco said he wants to focus his efforts on finishing a trash ordinance he's been working on. Foxx, a Medicare and group insurance agent, wants to work on issues that include storm-preparedness and green energy.

In District 2, which covers most of Thompsonville, Hemmeler is being challenged by Democratic businessman and political newcomer John Santanella.

Hemmeler said she plans to continue addressing quality of life issues such as improving parks and tackling blight problems. Santanella also plans to address blight, and wants to see more economic development and revitalization efforts in town.

In District 3, which covers Hazardville, and is being vacated by Szewczak, retired Thompsonville Fire Chief Frank Alaimo, a Republican, is facing off against political newcomer Matthew Despard, a Democrat who is a mental health counselor and small business owner.

Alaimo, who spent 35 years with the Fire Department, said public safety is a top priority of his, which includes issues also being dealt with on the national level like keeping drug dealers, illegal immigrants, gangs, and other threats out of town.

Despard said his background as a mental health counselor will assist with problem solving and helping to end a divide that he believes exists in town, since he has skills in resolving conflict and bringing people together.

In District 4, Riley faces off against Nick Hopkins, a Democrat and political newcomer who works as a public defender.

Riley said she wants to focus on welcoming businesses to town that offer residents a fun and entertaining experience, while Hopkins wants to bring in businesses that would grow the town's tax base, such as cannabis establishments if the pot sales ban is reversed.

Also seeking an at-large seat on the council is Republican Marie Pyznar, a retired insurance agent, and Democrat Douglas Finger, who's worked in the town's Public Works Department for 35 years.

Luckwick, speaking for council Republicans, said that collectively over the next two years the party's primary goals will be to complete projects such as the enhancement of Higgins Park, landing a train stop in Thompsonville, and implementing a walking trail that connects Enfield to East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

Mangini, speaking for council Democrats, said that over the next two years, the party's goals include bringing back the town's adult daycare facility as well as allowing and welcoming cannabis retail shops in town.

Local resident Kevin Crane said what he's looking for in candidates is "a willingness to rise above the current toxic political polarization and reach across the aisle to get things done."

Resident Jamie Beebe said what she's drawn to is candidates who have "the town of Enfield on the forefront of their agenda, regardless of their party."

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