A graduate of North Haven High School and a North Haven resident for the past 33 years, Democrat John Bimonte said he’s running for first selectman to provide a stronger local voice for seniors, students, and small business owners.

Bimonte will face three-term incumbent Republican Mike Freda in the November elections. Bimonte is a former Republican himself, but said he had a change of heart and believes that in a small town like North Haven, party affiliation matters much less than the ability to change things for the better for residents.

A town employee for the past 20 years and currently a program coordinator in the Department of Community Services and Recreation, Bimonte is also owner of Double J Sound, a DJ service. He and his wife Fran have a son, John, Jr., who attends Clintonville Elementary School.

Bimonte said he’s up for the challenge because he believes change needs to happen in North Haven.

“Seeing what’s going on in town, with the spending, the tax increases, and the small businesses not getting the support they need, I think another voice is needed,” said Bimonte. “I was expecting small businesses to get more assistance, as well as more assistance for our seniors. Finally in September, Mr. Freda says he will be coming up with a plan for seniors, but where was the plan for the past six years?”

On the business end, he said, “Small businesses in town feel that those on Universal Drive are considered the favorite child” in terms of town assistance, but Bimonte hopes to change all that.

Since announcing his run for first selectman, he said, “The town has been incredibly supportive.”

If elected, Bimonte has an extensive list of things he’d like to accomplish.

“I would like to help out our seniors and come up with a tax plan that will give them some tax relief. Many [seniors] are struggling to stay in North Haven,” he said. “I would also like to help clean up the drug problems in the secondary schools, the middle, and the high school.”

Part of the drug problem can be attributed to the elimination of the DARE Program, said Bimonte, noting that he hopes to get the program reinstated.

“We also need to utilize more of our wonderful town resources, like police dogs, community services, [and other sources] to help kids and families get the help they need” in the town’s fight against drugs, he said.

To spread the word of his plans for North Haven, Bimonte is planning on several September meet and greet events in addition to knocking on doors and speaking to more residents about their concerns.

Freda said, “I am excited about having an opponent this year because I feel that it is great for our citizens to be able to listen to different points of view regarding the candidates’ position on a comprehensive list of topics.”

A series of debates are in the planning progress in advance of the Nov. 3 election.

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