The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Garay, Claman set sights on Election Day
Candidates for town’s top seats have many goals
NEW HARTFORD » Laura Garay and Eric Claman are running for first selectman and the Board of Selectmen, respectively, with a focus on fostering collaboration between the town’s residents and its government.
Garay is a member of the Board of Selectmen who was first elected to the position in 2015. She said she’s excited about the Democratic ticket, and pleased to run for first selectman.
“We are capable, we are ready, and we represent leadership that listens,” said Garay.
Claman said Friday that he has been a community resident for nearly three decades, and has been involved in local sporting programs for years, in addition
to owning two Torrington businesses. Garay inspired him to run for public office, he said.
If elected, Garay and Claman said they hope to give the various town boards a greater voice in running the community, and would be receptive to the thoughts and suggestions of residents.
“Our boards and commissions represent 95 percent of folks who come to the table with expertise to move the town forward. As a leader of the town, we need to collaborate with them, and value that experience and their role,” said Garay. “We are a team that is willing to listen to anyone who comes to the table willing to participate in local town government, regardless of whether or not they share our opinion.”
“These people need to be led to come to a collective decision that’s in the best interest of the town,” said Claman. “They need to feel their voice is heard.”
Garay said that she had been involved in the political process for the past two years, and thought there were times people were not working together in a collaborative fashion. In a time of financial stress, it was important to be creative moving forward, she said.
“We have to be more creative, we have to be more inclusive, we have to be more open and responsive,” said Garay.
Garay and Claman noted that providing tax relief for residents with sewer and water rates and stabilizing the WPCA facility, spurring economic development, providing for the future of local schools, and aiding seniors as issues of note for their campaign.
The population in town is aging, Garay noted. She said she entered local politics by becoming a member of the Commission on Aging, spurred by her mother’s needs and a desire to aid others in similar situations.
When asked why voters should support them, Garay and Claman again stressed their desire to incorporate commissions, boards and residents in the governing process. As an example, Claman said that he had been able to put this focus on inclusion in action as the president of the Gilbert/Northwestern Football booster club, and was able to raise the funds for new uniforms.
Garay said the town needed investment as well, through either financial resources or time and effort, while Claman noted the need to accomplish goals in a proactive fashion.
“That’s what hurts a lot of businesses, and that’s what this town needs to start focusing on — being proactive towards its goals of economic development and more participation in events, in programs, and a larger sense of community in New Hartford,” said Claman.
Republican First Selectman Daniel Jerram could not be immediately reached for comment Monday.
Jerram noted his willingness to listen to town residents earlier this month, as he discussed plans to run for re-election along with incumbent Republican Selectman Alesia Kennerson.
“I think we have a really experienced team that works really hard to put the people of New Hartford first,” said Jerram.