A Strong Message Sent by Voters
Unk DaRos and Fran Walsh Win!

With 57%* of the vote, Unk DaRos and Fran Walsh were elected to serve as Branford's Selectmen once again.

Unofficial numbers showed DaRos winning with 4,735 votes, compared to 3,072 for John Opie and 555 for Cheryl Morris. In similar fashion, Fran Walsh won with 4,754 votes, compared to 2,949 for Kurt Schwanfelder, and 541 for Richard Sullivan.

"The people of Branford sent a good message tonight," said DaRos. "First, that they respect a clean campaign. And second, that they know we have a lot of hard work ahead of us and they have confidence that we will get the job done. We are ready to get to work...and to get to work together."

(*Unofficial numbers)

He Said, She Said: Now Get the Truth

Branford Review Endorses Unk DaRos
Joint Press Release of DaRos, Opie, Walsh and Schwanfelder
DaRos/Walsh Discuss Tabor Property
WOW-CT Endorses Unk DaRos
DaRos/Walsh Discuss Sewer Use Fee
Unk and Fran Outline Campaign Goals

EVENTS & NOTICES
CLICK HERE to read about:

- A Conversation with Unk DaRos on BCTV
- Election Day
- Special Opportunity to Register to Vote
- Volunteering in Headquarters
- Lawn Signs & Bumper Stickers

NEWS ARCHIVES
CLICK HERE to read news archives.

Branford Review ENDORSEs UNK DAROS

"Branford voters are in a unique position this election season. Maybe it’s not unusual to have three candidates running for the top position, but it must be some kind of record to have all three as either incumbent or previous office holders. There’s no mystery, just each individual voter’s perception on how well Cheryl Morris, Anthony “Unk” DaRos and John Opie have served the town.

That one of the most contentious problems faced by Branford – the Tabor Drive litigation – crossed over all three administrations makes the choice even more difficult. Plus there has been abundant mud-slinging over the Queach property, Founders Village, Granite-gate, and alleged cronyism, which has made doing the business of the town difficult as well.

Anthony “Unk” DaRos served three terms, which enabled him to amass a more impressive list of accomplishments, including the renovation of Town Hall, construction of the well-used Volunteer Services Center, and the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, and improved the town’s bond rating.

In these days of seeking a quick return on their political investment, it doesn’t take more than a mis-step or hint of scandal to discourage voters. Although it does take time to develop trust and implement policy, Branford is at a critical time, in danger of over-development and losing its unique shoreline identity.

Unk DaRos has a proven track record of completing major town projects with minimum controversy and he has earned our endorsement on that basis."

Branford Review
October 31, 2007

Joint Press Release of Anthony DaRos, John Opie,
Fran Walsh and Kurt Schwanfelder

In 2003 and 2004, both the DaRos and Opie administrations, with the unanimous approval of the RTM and Board of Finance, acted to acquire the 77 acre Tabor Drive property next to the Town’s landfill by eminent domain in order to insure that contaminants leaching from the landfill into the groundwater under the property could never threaten residents on the site. This was done to protect the health and safety of future residents and to protect the Town from liability for damaged health of residents, as has happened in other Connecticut towns.

On September 12, a suit brought by the developers who wished to build 354 apartments on the site ended with a verdict that awarded the developers $12.8.

Together, Selectman candidates Unk DaRos, Fran Walsh, John Opie and Kurt Schwanfelder issued the following joint statement on the serious issue of this verdict.

We’ve come together because the Tabor dispute is more important than the upcoming selectman’s race.

Taking the property to protect the health and safety of future residents was the right thing to do in 2003 and is still the right thing to do in 2007.

The Town’s action was upheld and justified by the court in 2003 when the Town was able to bring in expert witnesses to present evidence about the environmental problems.

What happened? The Town’s present administration dismissed the attorneys who had won for the Town and put its own counsel in charge. That law firm failed to meet the filing deadlines for bringing in the experts needed to present the Town’s case, tying the hands of the new attorneys hired to try the case. Without the expert witnesses, the Town could not enter its evidence to prove that this was the right thing to do for its residents.

THE FACTS ABOUT THE TABOR PROPERTY
Allowing a large residential development to be built next to the Town’s landfill would have created a threat to the health and safety of people living in those apartments and a serious financial risk for the Town and its taxpayers.  The decision to acquire the Tabor property was approved unanimously by the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Finance and the Representative Town Meeting in 2003.  The Town acted prudently and appropriately when it exercised eminent domain to acquire the Tabor property. 

Learn more...

WOW-CT Endorses Unk DaRos
Women Organizing Women CT (WOW-CT) announced its endorsement of municipal candidates, including Unk DaRos. WOW-CT is a non-profit organization committed to using the collective economic and political power of women to improve the quality of life for women and children in Connecticut.