Newsletter Volume 3 • Number 16
Heated conversations, late nights, are just part of the recipe to get $22 million for Greenwich
An upbeat parlance and easy smile may make it hard to imagine Hector Arzeno as a fighter, standing his ground on issues impacting Greenwich residents.
However, he fought alongside his fellow state representatives from Greenwich to secure $22 million toward rebuilding Central Middle School (CMS), $14.7 million more than expected.
The problem had been festering for years. In 2019, the father of four volunteered to give tours at Greenwich High School to prospective new families, and answer questions about our schools. They asked a lot about CMS.
“Without exception, parents considering public schools couldn’t believe Greenwich had such a dilapidated, deteriorating building still in service at Indian Rock Lane,” he said. He presented his findings before the Board of Education, Board of Estimate and Taxation, and the RTM, to no avail.
Once the school was condemned, town officials “couldn’t avoid the situation anymore,” Hector said. But delays caused Greenwich to miss the state’s June 2023 deadline for construction reimbursement, and threatened to postpone the project for a year.
But, now a member of the legislature’s education committee, Hector did not accept his leadership’s regrets. He rolled up his sleeves and dug in. “I had tough conversations with them. It got very heated,” he recalls.
In the General Assembly, a bill starts as a short paragraph and staff traditionally works out the details. But this time Hector, Steve Meskers and Rachel Khanna attended dozens of meetings to help flesh out the bill’s language.
“Our trade secret is our work ethic: the discipline that we brought to the table, presenting the facts that convinced them why it was important to have the funding for CMS,” he said. “We worked with all the parties directly every step of the way.”
Against the odds
Persistence is not new to Hector. Born in Argentina, Hector finished high school with a scholarship and paid for his college education with scholarships and work. During his sophomore year, he traveled to the United States to get familiar with our education and governance systems.
Hector returned to the U.S. after college, progressing in his career while attending classes evenings and weekends. He rose through the ranks of international finance, including a post at J.P. Morgan, and his career culminated in him becoming president and CEO of Banesto New York.
Fighting to preserve local control
This year Hector, Rachel, and Steve, worked to make a housing bill “opt-in”, rather than required, so Greenwich could opt out without any penalty. Hector and colleagues worked closely with town and regional officials to ensure there were no poison pills in the bill language.
Hector fights for shared democratic values, he also co-sponsored a bill to protect poll workers, mindful of the dictatorships he lived under as a young man in Argentina. “I revere our American values, because I’ve seen what happens when they’re absent,” Hector intoned. “The rule of law, the importance of truth, and equal opportunity for all—they are in jeopardy if we elect President Trump.”
Want to volunteer to help Hector as our state representative for the 151st District in Greenwich? Email juliannagoldfluss22@gmail.com
Thank Democrats
State grant boosts Greenwich pedestrian safety
Three busy crossings in downtown Greenwich will get a safety upgrade thanks to an $800,000 state grant obtained with the help of our Democratic delegation.
Pedestrian safety has been cited by Greenwich residents as a top concern. Yet progress has been slow because of the finance board’s Republican majority. They delayed funding for this work, as well as refusing to release funding for legally required improvements to make Greenwich Ave. accessible to people with disabilities.
This is why it’s helpful to have a seat at the table in Hartford.
After DPW submitted their application for the second time for this grant, our Democratic delegates got to work to advocate for it. They also successfully shepherded the town’s application for $6.5 million to restart the stalled Glenville corridor traffic improvement project.
State Rep. Rachel Khanna reflected, “My colleagues and I have made it a priority to advocate for our youth and older adults. Addressing pressing issues regarding pedestrian safety, pedestrian connectivity, vehicular safety, multi-modal levels of service, ADA accessibility, and transit access is part of that goal and will go a long way to making our community safer for all.”
Please join Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, our state delegation, and First Selectman Fred Camillo on Monday, September 23rd at 11:00 am at the Byram Highway Shed, 262 Field Point Road (between I-95S entrance ramp & railroad underpass) to celebrate the Community Connectivity Grant for central Greenwich.
Why are you voting for Democrats this November?
Greenwich neighbors weigh in
““I’m voting for Democrats because they prioritize education, our infrastructure, our citizens and the well-being of the Greenwich community.”
— Christian Meskers, Greenwich
Democratic Action Calendar
Volunteer.
Sign up to volunteer with the Greenwich Democrats this election season. Or just drop by our headquarters open daily 12-6 pm, and get to work.
September 20, 21 & 22. Canvass.
Join the Nick Simmons campaign canvass this Friday, Saturday or Sunday. RSVP here for details.
September 23 & 25. Call.
Phone bank for Nick Simmons, 5-7 p.m. 23 Benedict Place (back entrance) or login here for virtual phone bank.
September 24 & 26. Call.
Virtual phone bank for Rachel Khanna, 5-7 p.m. Sign up here.
September 29. Do Something.
Day of Action with State Treasurer Eric Russell. 12-3 p.m., 23 Benedict Place (rear entrance).
October 15. Learn.
State Senate and State House candidate debates, Greenwich League of Women Voters, 7:00 pm. Register.
| Volume 3, Number 16 • September 19, 2024 |
| Paid for by the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee. |
| Greenwich Democratic Town Committee P.O. Box 126 Greenwich, CT 06836 |