Briggs Acceptance Speech
Walter O. Briggs
July 23, 2007

My fellow Democrats,

To be chosen by my friends and fellow Democrats to be candidate for mayor is a great honor. Thank you.

On November 6th Norwalk City Hall will be returned to Democratic control.

We will do this together, as I know I can count on your help in achieving this critical goal.

I especially want to thank Bob Duff, Alex Knopp, Carvin Hilliard, Galen Wells, our district chairs, and all others.

And I'd like to single out my wife Gwen, who has been my biggest supporter and also my toughest critic during my five years as chair of the Planning Commission.

I promise to share with you my vision for Norwalk in just a minute, but first I want to put this election in a larger context.

In a very real way, the battle for control of the White House and the Congress in 2008 begins now with the local elections in Norwalk and other communities all across America.

The question is: will we use this election to tell the Republicans in Washington that we have had enough of their mismanagement, their secret agendas and their ignoring the concerns of ordinary Americans?

Now, I can just hear some of you thinking, come on, Walter. You're running for mayor of Norwalk. Why are you talking about George Bush and Dick Cheney?

I am concerned because what happens in Washington does make a difference in Norwalk.

Quite apart from the appalling human cost of the war in Iraq, the war is costing American taxpayers four point two million dollars every single hour.

So when you hear the Republicans say we can't afford to fix the roads, we can't afford to fix the our storm water and sewer system, we can't afford to fix the health care system, we can't afford to fix our schools -- think about what we could fix right here in Norwalk if we just readjusted our priorities.

I am running for mayor because in my five years as head of the Planning Commission I have talked with citizens in every neighborhood in Norwalk.

I have met with leaders from business, labor, minorities, neighborhoods and community organizations as well as ordinary citizens. They all told me a lot of things need to be fixed in Norwalk.

I'm glad the current mayor has continued previously initiated Democratic development projects. But the mayor must do much more than follow the past; it is the duty of the mayor to lead Norwalk into the future.

As mayor, I intend to pursue the recommendations of the Plan of Conservation and Development. That includes getting the Mid-Harbor project moving forward and making sure that South Norwalk is targeted for affordable housing and economic development. Long discussed flood control improvements must be implemented.

Where there are conflicts over development and preservation, I will work with all the parties to resolve the conflicts and find common purpose to move Norwalk forward.

This is not just about preserving a few buildings, whether on Wall Street, the Fodor Farm or the St. John House. Preservation and development – together – are the key to Norwalk's economic future as a place that builds for the future, but doesn't forget its past.

A place where people want to live and work – and visit.

That is how we can bring new jobs and new businesses to Norwalk without driving out the middle class, without driving out small businesses and working families that are the backbone of Norwalk's community.

That is how we can hold down property taxes, not by ignoring problems – which only costs more in the long run – but by growing the tax base so the tax burden doesn't fall so heavily on homeowners.

I will use my planning and financial expertise to find creative ways to fund redevelopment beyond property taxes.

32 years ago, I came to Connecticut from my native Michigan. And as this may become a campaign issue, let me confront it right now:

I have been accused of being Norwalk's greatest Detroit Tigers fan. So to all you Yankee and Mets fans, let me say this: I have absolutely no defense; it is true. So to some, I may be seen as sports challenged.

I have lived other places and I've seen how other communities are preparing for the future.

From personal experience I can tell you they're working night and day to re-create themselves so they can attract the jobs of the future. Norwalk has allowed itself to be put on a sidetrack, as other communities roar ahead.

I am very close to my eight children and 22 grandchildren. They have told me they want to live in places with good jobs, good schools, cultural events, and a sense of history and place. They want to live in places with diversity and activity.

We want to build a Norwalk that is prepared for the challenges of the future. That means a community where our children want to live, and a place they can afford to live.

Ten years from now, I want Norwalk be known as a diverse, growing community with a strong local identity and a growing downtown filled with shops, offices and living spaces. I want Norwalk's suburbs to be able to maintain their natural beauty, and historic heritage.

I want Norwalk to be the example people use to describe creative, cost-effective redevelopment. A magnet for talented young people and creative businesses who will seek out our unique combination of the old and the new. That is what I intend to bring back to Norwalk as its next mayor.

My friends and fellow Democrats, thank you for making me your choice to lead Norwalk. I accept the nomination and the challenge.

That bright future won't happen by itself. But with your help, Norwalk will once again begin to move forward. We start today – you and I and the citizens of Norwalk – to make that happen. Thank you.

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