Hamden’s mayoral debate summarized: Here’s everything you need to know from last night.

The Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the town’s first mayoral debate between incumbent Democrat Lauren Garrett and her opponent, Republican Crystal Dailey, on Friday Oct. 27 at the Thornton Wilder Auditorium. 

The debate — which began at 6:30 p.m. and spanned just under 90 minutes — was open to the public, with an estimated 300 people in attendance to watch the two candidates share their respective visions on Hamden’s future, while discussing the various issues facing the town. The Regional Chamber of Commerce also streamed the debate live on its Facebook page.

Moderator Ken Good, a member of Hamden’s Regional Chamber of Commerce, first read questions prepared by the chamber of commerce, before the two candidates took turns answering questions from the audience. 

With the Nov. 7 election right around the corner, both Garrett and Dailey are looking to swing votes in their favor. Here is everything you need to know about Friday’s debate. 

TAXES, ECONOMY AND LOCAL BUSINESS

The most abundant issue discussed was business. Garrett reaffirmed the notion that businesses in Hamden are thriving — mentioning dozens of businesses opening in the town in the last few years. She also pointed to new businesses like Haven Beer Company as an example of Hamden’s attractiveness as a town to set up shop in.

In addition, Garrett noted that she has created a new, streamlined process to help businesses get approval to open their doors quicker. She has worked with the town’s building department to allow permits to pass through more fluidly — a process that should take no more than 48 hours now according to Garrett, as opposed to the multiple weeks business owners have had to wait in the past. 

“Time is money,” Garrett said. “And we don’t want our businesses waiting on the town to get approved.” 

Dailey took a different approach to the town’s economic landscape. She feels Hamden residents are scared to shop in places like Hamden Plaza on account of the high crime levels in the area. In turn, it makes businesses less likely to want to choose Hamden as their home.

“We have to address crime to make businesses want to come to Hamden,” Dailey said. 

Hamden’s high property taxes are some of the highest in the state, and both Dailey and Garrett acknowledged how expensive it has become to live in the town and operate a business. Dailey vocalized her dislike of the handling of Hamden’s budget so far, citing mismanagement of funds as one of the Garrett administration’s biggest downfalls

Dailey pledged to use town funds to supply loans and grants in support of small businesses if elected, giving them the opportunity to continue to thrive in Hamden. 

PUBLIC SAFETY AND POLICE

Many questions directed toward the two candidates inquired about safety in the Hamden community and the ongoing search to fill several vacancies within the Hamden Police Department. 

Garrett attributed the recent string of retirements in the department as coinciding with national trends, while Dailey claimed that morale within the department is low, leading to an abundance of officers wanting to step away from the force. 

In her rebuttal, Garrett spoke on her hiring of over 30 officers in the last two years, as well as a new police chief just a few weeks ago. 

If elected, Dailey’s goal is to fully staff the department while simultaneously reconstructing the stigma surrounding the officers that work in Hamden. In order to foster a healthy relationship between the community and the police department, Dailey stressed the importance of ‘creating an inclusive environment’ that allows all voices to be heard equally. 

On the topic of public safety measures, each candidate offered differing opinions on one prominent issue in town —speeding. Dailey offered that additional speed bumps should be placed around town, while reiterating her stance that the town’s police department needs to be fully staffed to properly enforce traffic laws. 

Garrett felt the solution may entail more than just speed bumps. 

After pitching the idea to turn some one-way streets into two-way streets, she reasoned, “if we give people a smaller space to drive, they will slow down.”

TRANSPARENCY

Both candidates addressed clarity within their administrations. For Garrett, that meant reinforcing her ‘open-door policy’ that allows Hamden residents to meet with her one-on-one to discuss any issues.

Garrett also pointed to the town’s website, where all of Hamden’s important financial statements are available to view, along with information about upcoming events, press releases, audited finances and more. 

She also can be seen around town, making public appearances at local events, where she says any resident can come up and speak with her. 

“It is important for the mayor to go where the people are, rather than wait for the people to come to the mayor,” Garrett said. 

Dailey, a member of Hamden’s Board of Education, reiterated much of what Garrett said, while also adding that it is important for the organizations that the mayor works alongside, like the Board of Education, to be more open with the public about how they operate on a day-to-day basis. 

EDUCATION

Both candidates emphasized the importance of a high-functioning school system.  Garrett pointed to the town’s HECA program — an opportunity for high school students to work toward an associates degree of science in manufacturing engineering prior to college — as one of her biggest contributions to the public school system. 

Dailey addressed the chronic absentee rate that plagues many Hamden schools, advocating to hire more social workers to check on students who skip school and get them back in the classroom. This comes as part of her overarching initiative to combat absenteeism and keep Hamden’s schools operating successfully.

She also encouraged the need to take an initiative against the mental health crisis, pledging to offer additional resources to students who may be in need of counseling. 

CLOSING STATEMENTS

With just two minutes to make their final remarks, Garrett took the time to touch on some issues that had not yet been broached – mainly environmental sustainability. The mayor stressed the need to protect Hamden from the effects of climate change and create legislation to keep the town safe in the future. 

Dailey opted to send a message to her supporters, both in the crowd and over the internet. She preached bipartisanship, accountability and working transparently with both the community and other governmental organizations to generate positive change in the town. 

“Everyone will have a seat at my table,” Dailey said, to which she received a resounding round of applause. 

Now, both candidates continue to roll along the campaign trail until they reach their final stop —election day, where Hamden voters will decide their fates on Nov. 7.