Michael Freda announced today that he will be seeking a second term as First Selectman of North Haven.
“I have been privileged and honored to serve the fine citizens of the Town of
North Haven for these past 15 months, and I am determined to continue the
progress that we have made in an effort to move North Haven forward into a
very bright future,” Freda said in a press release issued this afternoon.
The Republican Town Committee is expected to endorse Freda's re-election at their July convention.
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Over the course of his term, Freda has actively pushed for greater economic development in town, spearheading numerous projects to bring businesses into lots along Universal Drive and Washington Avenue, as well as raising support for the Yale-New Haven Hospital initiative on Devine Street.
“I have immersed myself into the economic development of the town," he said. “I take very seriously the importance of being involved with economic development, working with commercial real estate agents, developers and businesses daily to ignite future development in an effort to create jobs and minimize the tax burden for our residents.”
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His oft-repeated slogan to "move North Haven forward in a very positive fashion" has become suggestive not only of his zeal for local economics, but his professionalism behind the microphone at public meetings.
But some have criticized Freda for going too far in browbeating opponents. A recent controversy emerged when Freda noted in a local paper that those arguing with him in public forums should, "proceed with caution."
With the town budget still being hammered out, the next couple months could very well prove the most crucial in determining Freda's re-election prospects.
Freda defeated Democratic incumbent Janet McCarty in 2009 by more than 1,600 votes, the first in a surge of Republican victories in town over the past two elections.
In the 2010 races, North Haven voters picked Republican Dave Yaccarino for State Representative over Democratic incumbent Steve Fontana by a significant margin. The town also voted Republican in the Governor's race, supported Tom Foley over ententual winner Dannel Malloy.
The Democratic Town Committee has yet to announce a candidate to run against Freda.
Stay tuned for updates on the race from Patch.
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