Opinion: Ansonia Republican questions Malloy visit to city

Editor's note: Henri, a Republican, is running for alderman in the 6th Ward. He submitted this column Wednesday prior to Malloy's visit to Ansonia City Hall to announce a $400,000 grant from the state Department of Housing to rehabilitate 12 houses.

By Patrick Henri
Guest column

Why is Gov. Malloy in Ansonia today? 

Ostensibly he will be paying a visit to discuss the Small Cities Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program that Ansonia has successfully applied for over the past three years. 

However, Ansonia residents could be forgiven if they suspect an ulterior motive.  After all, Ansonia has received this grant for three previous years. Where was the governor on those occasions?

The Housing Rehabilitation Program represents a great success story for Ansonia. It has brought in a total of $900,000 to the city since 2010. 
That amount is expected to exceed $1 million with the next round of funding. The purpose of the program is to rehabilitate housing in Ansonia’s most needy areas.

Ansonia’s successful participation in the program is due to the efforts of a rejuvenated Economic Development Commission re-established by Alderman John Marini, R-7, in 2010.  The Commission – which included a mix of Republicans and Democrats – deserves credit for reversing an abysmal track record of failed Small Cities Grant applications extending back to the early 2000s.

It remains to be seen if Gov. Malloy will give proper credit for the Housing Rehabilitation Grant.  It is interesting, however, that the timing of Gov. Malloy’s visit coincides not only with Ansonia’s most recent grant application, but also with a certain mayoral election.  It also occurs just months after Ansonia has realized the one of the highest mill rates in the Valley and one week after the Ansonia Republican Town Committee has put up a full slate of candidates for the November municipal elections.

Is Gov. Malloy being brought in as a lifesaver for the Della Volpe administration?

If so, Ansonia residents will not be fooled. Gov. Malloy has the distinct privilege of governing a state with one of the highest employment rates, worst economies, worst business atmospheres, worst roads and on and on and on. This “dog and pony show” photo op isn’t going to gloss over those facts or decrease Ansonia’s taxes.

Gov. Malloy is not a “lifesaver.” He and his administration are an anchor that continues to drag the state down into the briny depths of high taxes and anti-business policies.