Candidate Ivain makes mayoral pitch to Rotarians

https://www.rep-am.com/local/localnews/2021/10/12/candidate-ivain-makes-mayoral-pitch-to-rotarians/ TORRINGTON — Democratic mayoral candidate Stephen Ivain pitched his plans for economic development in a speech before the Rotary Club of the Torrington and Winsted Areas on Tuesday.

Though the Rotary Club is apolitical, the group of local business and community leaders offered a platform to the two candidates running for mayor in the Nov. 2 election. Mayor Elinor C. Carbone, the Republican incumbent who is seeking a third term, will speak at next week’s meeting.

“It bothers me the Yankee Pedlar (Inn) has been boarded up for years; it bothers me people can’t walk safely on sidewalks from the bottom of East Main Street to the top; it bothers me that Torrington children don’t have anywhere to swim this summer because the public pool is closed for a second year,” Ivain said during the Rotary’s meeting at Greenwoods Country Club.

Ivain said Torrington doesn’t have a budget problem, but rather a revenue problem because the current administration failed to make economic development a priority. He said the city’s economic development efforts are understaffed and underfunded.

With only a $15,000 economic development marketing budget, Torrington can’t compete with other cities and towns of the same size, he said.

Ivain cited the town of Windsor for its work in economic development and achieving high growth in comparison to Torrington.

“We can’t expect to compete with towns like Windsor with unrealistic budgets,” Ivain said.

He was asked how he can compare Torrington to Windsor, which has a median income about twice as high and many Hartford-based corporate satellite offices. Windsor also is next door to Bradley International Airport.

“We have to look at similarities,” Ivain said. “Torrington has great bones. We have infrastructure, we can utilize that. We have Route 8 going down the center of town with four exits on each side. We can expand our industrial parks and make those opportunities.”

If elected, he said he will establish five- and 10-year economic plans with measurable goals, “create a realistic staffing plan and budget,” and reinvigorate the city’s economic development commission.