With election day fast approaching Clinton voters are beginning to turn their attention to the municipal races. The highest-profile race on the ballot is the one between the five endorsed candidates for the three seats on the Town Council. This year’s election will decide which party holds a majority on the Town Council.

The endorsed candidates for the three open spots on the council are Green Party member Eric Bergman (an incumbent), Republican Tom Hollinger, and Democrats Paul Gebauer, Carrie Allen, and Chris Passante.

The council is composed of seven seats, but its members serve staggered terms to ensure that the entire council can’t be voted out in one election. Under the initial council structure that went into effect in 2019, three of the seven race winners were elected to two-year terms while the other four were elected to four-year terms. Going forward, all council members will be elected to a four-year term.

While there are three open seats on the Town Council, there are also rules that stipulate one party can’t have more than four members elected. That means the Republicans could only nominate and have one candidate one win, while the Green and Democratic parties were able to nominate up to three candidates and can win three seats.

While local elections are sometimes overlooked, especially when compared to the buzz that presidential elections receive, they are still critically important to the day-to-day life of Clinton citizens. Arguably, they could be even more important.

The Candidates

Carrie Allen (D): Carrie Allen said that she decided to run because the council isn’t as energetic in pursing some goals as it should be in her opinion.

“It’s my sense the council role isn’t being fulfilled,” said Allen, who added she thinks the council should be proactive directing the professionals in town in pursuit of the goals the council wants to achieve.

Allen served on the Town Manager Search Committee and the Sustainability Committee, is the chairperson of the Bike and Pedestrian Alliance Committee, and is on the Arts Council. She also volunteers her time at the food for all garden and with the Clinton Historic Society. Allen has been a teacher for more than 30 years and is currently a college professor.

Asked what issues she wants to work on if elected, Allen first pointed to communication. Allen said that there should be a two-way street where the council is telling the citizens regular updates on town affairs, and also the council should more actively seek public input.

“I would like to see a great deal more of communication both ways,” said Allen.

Allen also said she would like to see the council take a more active role in assisting economic development in town.

“I see the wonderful work coming out of the Economic Development Commission. I think that’s a job the council should assume, too,” Allen said.

Allen said that while she understands that there are conversations that take place in executive session due to the legal situation concerning the Pierson School property deed, she also would like to have the council be more active in finding a use for the former school.

Allen said that if elected she would like to take on projects that enhanced the downtown to draw visitors to that section of town.

“Beautifying that stretch of town would make a tremendous difference in this town,” said Allen.

As a last issue, Allen said she’d work to move the council beyond partisan squabbling to get goals done for the town.

“The politics are still in play. I’d like to see them more on the backburner,” said Allen.

For more information, visit the Clinton Democrats Facebook page and www.clintondemocrats.org.

Eric Bergman (G): Eric Bergman is the Green Party candidate for the Town Council and the only candidate who in an incumbent. Bergman said he was motivated to run because he felt there are still projects, he wants to work on as a council member.

“I think I still have unfinished business to do. I think I have a unique voice,” Bergman said.

Besides his time on the council, Bergman has also served on the Charter Revision Commission and has volunteered with other political campaigns and organizations on a state and national level. Bergman is a longtime teacher at The Morgan School.

Bergman said that he believes his first term on the council was about setting up the new form of government for success, and that he wants to now focus on the “momentum” that he said has built up over the last two years.

Bergman said in his view the council should be selective in the projects it takes on so that the focus isn’t spread too thin over too many projects.

“I want to focus more on senior issues and I believe bringing some type of senior center in our town is in our best interest,” Bergman said.

Bergman also specified the town’s plan of conservation and development as a guide the town should look into using more when deciding what projects to pursue.

“There’s action items in there that need to be addressed,” Bergman said. “I like the idea of regionalization of some services on some levels.”

Bergman also wants the council to reach out more to voters.

“The turnout for the budget referendum was embarrassingly low. It’s incumbent on us to reach out and increase participation.”

He also said the council need to decide if it’s a reactive body where it does what the citizens tell it to do or “an activist” council where the council is proactive and doing what council members feel is right for the town.

As for COVID recovery, Bergman said the council has had “robust” discussions on how to spend relief money and that he would back initiatives that help small businesses or individuals struggling due to the pandemic.

More information on Bergman can be found on the Facebook page “Eric Bergman, Clinton Town Council.”

Paul Gebauer (D): Paul Gebauer said that he was asked by the Democratic Town Committee (DTC) to run for Town Council and that thus far it’s a decision that’s been met with positivity.

“I’m really excited to be campaigning and after talking with people, people are excited and have faith in me,” said Gebauer.

Gebauer started the Energy Committee and Sustainability Committee in town. He’s also been involved in school events and the Democratic Town Committee as well. Gebauer recently retired from his 35-year job at the post office.

Gebauer outlined a number of issues that he wants to focus on if elected.

“Pierson has to addressed as soon as we get in,” Gebauer said.

The Pierson School, an abandoned school in the center of town, is an inviting development option that many citizens are eager to see developed but progress has been slow due to a deed restriction on the property.

Gebauer also said he wants to town to more actively pursue grants and projects aimed at downtown beautification. Gebauer pointed to a study done years ago that had suggestions for improvements in the downtown that was largely ignored. He added that he would like to see the town apply for grants consistently not just as one-off endeavors.

Gebauer said he would like to see the town make progress on renewable energy initiatives and become a leader in that sphere.

“I really want to see if Clinton can make a real commitment to renewable energy,” said Gebauer.

Also of concern for Gebauer is having a council that consistently supports the professionals in town.

“This town is blessed with leadership from chief [Vincent] DeMaio and our police department, Todd Hajek at [the Department of Public Works] and [Superintendent of Schools] Maryann O’Donnell have done an amazing job as have [Fire Chief] Brian Manware and [Town Manager] Karl Kilduff. I appreciate them all,” said. Gebauer.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting the area, Gebauer said he would like to see the town explore ways to help those who may have faced economic hardship from the virus.

“I’m excited to serve and work hard. I like people and getting projects done and I look forward to working with the other council members and Karl,” said Gebauer.

For more information, visit the Clinton Democrats Facebook page and www.clintondemocrats.org.

Tom Hollinger (R): Tom Hollinger is the lone Republican candidate for the Town Council. Due to rules that prohibit a party from holding more than four seats on the council and with three members of the party already on the council for at least another two years, Republicans could only nominate one candidate.

Hollinger said he approached the Republican Town Committee and told them he would like to be involved in the town.

“I wanted to continue to be in public service,” said Hollinger.

Hollinger is a current member of the Board of Assessment Appeals and has served on the Board of Finance and the Charter Revision Commission. Hollinger has also been a member of various youth programs including youth sports and a stint as the president of the Clinton Touchdown Club. He works in the financial field currently for a consulting company that does risk management.

If elected the council, Hollinger said that managing the town’s finances is his chief concern.

“I want to continue to make sure we continue offering responsible budgeting,” he said. “I think controlled spending is necessary.”

Hollinger also pointed to continuing capital improvement investments as an important step too.

Economic development is another area with which Hollinger is concerned.

“There’s nothing worse than looking at empty stores or empty houses or foreclosed houses,” said Hollinger

However, he also said any development should also be done with the environment in mind.

“I want to make sure any development that comes in has proper clean up or containment measures that can be implemented,” said Hollinger.

In particular, Hollinger signaled out the former Unilever building as a development opportunity he has his eye on.

As for other issues important to him, Hollinger said he is “an avid supporter of law enforcement” and wants to make sure that the Clinton Police Department is supported.

When it comes to COVID, Hollinger said that citizens should continue to local guidance from the state or health department. Hollinger stated his frustration at what he said is inconsistent messaging that comes from the different federal agencies.

“We should maintain whatever is necessary to not surge,” Hollinger said.

For more information, visit the Republican Town Council Facebook page or www.clintongop.org.

Chris Passante (D): Chris Passante was raised in Clinton and said he was motivated to run to help serve hometown.

“I grew up in town and I really want the best for this town,” said Passante.

Passante is a current member of the Board of Education and the Parks & Recreation Commission. Passante has also been a longtime member of Clinton youth sports, where he’s coached basketball, baseball, and soccer. He’s also been involved in various school events over the years as his seven kids went through the school system. Passante works in financial services.

For issues that he wants to focus on if elected Passante said “economic progress, the development of Pierson, the beautification of downtown, and better communication from the Town Council to the public.”

Passante said that while he understands some discussions on issues like the development of the Pierson School are going on behind closed doors, he wishes that the public was kept in the loop.

“As a citizen, we all talk about why things aren’t happening and what we need to do to move forward,” said Passante.

For the downtown, Passante said, “If you look at the downtown right now there’s a lot of open spaces and a lot of development that needs to be done.”

Attracting businesses is a priority for Passante.

“I want to prioritize and work on town projects and create a positive climate for business,” said Passante.

“Over the years, people stopped going downtown and new businesses come in and we try and support them, but then they fail. I want to get more people in our downtown,” said Passante.

Other issues Passante singled out as important include the ability to go after grants as often as possible and to support the youth in town.

“My motivation is for the kids in this town,” said Passante. “I also want to commit to public safety and the environment.”

With COVID-19 still effecting the region, Passante said that he wants to make sure any money the town receives to aid with recovery is spent wisely.

Passante invites citizens to contact him at passantefortc@gmail.com to learn more about his campaign.