Donna Doyker, Candidate for 1st Selectman

160 Million Reasons to vote for Donna! 

Over the past 8 years as Tax Collector for the Town of Somers, I have collected, counted, reconciled,  handled and deposited over $160,000,000 of your hard earned money. I have been as careful as humanly possible to protect the money of the people of this town and make sure it is in the bank within 24 hours of receiving it. I have successfully been bonded every year, due to my good name. I have never increased my budget lines with anything that would not directly benefit the people. such as giving you the ability to see and pay your taxes in real time with online payments for the first time ever in Somers .

Within my first six months in office, I helped facilitate the sale, and end the bankruptcy of, the single largest delinquent taxpayer in Somers. Fifteen years worth of delinquent taxes on multiple properties totaling over $200,000.00 was completely paid. And I am thrilled to say the property stayed in the same family. Over 1600 Acres of farmland saved in Somers. I have held six tax sales in Somers and have collected well over one million dollars at no cost to the town whatsoever. Two of the properties that I sold are now a thriving business complex (60 Springfield Rd) which was a brown field property,  and a lovely restored home on Main Street which was previously a Town eyesore.

Last August of 2012, I discovered that over $60,000.00 of your hard earned money was missing from the General Fund. I immediately brought this to the attention of the administration and I worked tirelessly to locate every single penny. Even though the error was not caused by my Tax Department, I went above and beyond to find the problem, and fix it, on behalf of the residents of Somers. This error was caused by basic accounting principles that were simply not being followed by the responsible party.

The past 8 years in office has also afforded me an opportunity to witness the inner workings of Town on a day to day basis. So much needs to change to protect this Historic town, before it's too late.

There is a new chain store slated to open Somers by 2015, which means construction is starting soon. I feel strongly that the residents of Somers should, at the very least, be made aware of critical changes to our landscape .  We've already lost many community events in Somers due to this Administration. The Annual Cider Press is gone, the Labor Day Craft Fair and now the Somers Farmers Market - have all been eliminated, without any input from the residents. Just like the summer camp that was eliminated this past spring. Thankfully a group of concerned parents fought with the administration to reinstate it.

In  a 2012 Town wide survey, residents overwhelmingly (79%) opposed an increase in taxes for the construction of more sports fields. Yet, there is a 3 phase plan that this administration has recently begun to clear cut over 20 acres of forest behind the High School and build more parking lots and sport fields. This plan has not gone before any of the town boards (planning, wetlands, etc) and the Dept. of Public Works began using the Vision Boulevard as a short cut - DURING SCHOOL HOURS -   to dump dozens of loads of dirt behind the Fire House - in close proximity to the Gulf Stream. Concerned parents reached out to the School Administration who immediately requested that they stop using that road for the safety of our children.

There is no ordinance in town to enforce a fair and competitive bid process for our construction projects. This needs to be implemented immediately, and if I am elected, it will be. There is, however, an ordinance in place to prevent the town from hiring contractors to do work that owe the town tax dollars. Unfortunately, this administration was not even following that policy, which is just another loss of revenue to the town. 

The Mill is another sore subject in Somers. For years it was left in such poor condition by the owners that people and animals were able to freely enter the property and buildings. It was recommended several times that the Town adopt a Blight ordinance, yet they never did.  The results were the fire that now looks so much like a war zone that a magazine asked permission to photograph it and use it on the cover for a "War Zone like" photo. Had the blight ordinance been implemented, this fire may have been prevented. But the damage is done. The town spent nearly $40,000 to make it "safe" by putting up the fence - which has more openings than swiss cheese. The back of the building has the most openings allowing even a child to walk right in - and this is right next to a children's daycare. This is one liability that I promise to put forth effort and resources to not only correct, but to hold the owner responsible for the cost of cleaning it up.

The door will always be open to you. The phone will always be answered. Emails will always be responded to. The First Selectman's Office belongs to the people of Somers.  If I am elected, your voice will be heard.