Why Should Bristol Residents Trust the Same Democratic Leaders?

Under the previous Democratic administration, the residents of Bristol saw a steady rise in the mill rate — the local tax rate used to calculate property taxes. Despite promises of revitalization  homeowners were left footing higher tax bills with little to show in return.

From 2017 to 2021, Democrats raised the mill rate 3 out of 4 years in a booming economy. This rising burden came with assurances that the extra revenue would fuel long-term economic development, infrastructure upgrades, and modern urban development. Yet, despite the higher taxes, the city saw no tangible commercial results. Grand plans were marked by decaying signs downtown for four years with very little progress. While the current Mayor gave full credit to the previous administration for the Memorial Boulevard School and City Hall renovations these public projects came with increased tax bills and no grand list growth, adding $1M in debt service to our current tax bills. Not ONE private project in or around Centre Square was delivered.

The question facing Bristol is simple: Why trust the same leadership that raised taxes, promised growth, and left downtown an empty parking lot? As the city looks toward the future, voters deserve transparency, fiscal responsibility, and most importantly — results. The City has seen way better results with Republican Leaders?

Why would we expect different results from Democrats this time around and can we stand the same Democrat chaos that we have seen with the BOE leadership the last 2 years? ($12.7M in deficit spending, administrators and teachers leaving in droves, and union leaders asking for transparency and accountability)