First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos Prepared to Do Battle

Branford’s current Anthony “Unk” DaRos officially announced his intent to run for office again this November. DaRos is looking to fill his sixth term having served in the 90s for several years and then again from 2007 to present. He will be joined in the race by Democrat Second Selectman candidate Andrew (Andy) Campbell (current Second Selectman announced that he will not run). The republican nomination for First Selectman candidate will go to Joy McConnell with the party’s nomination for Second Selectman going to current RTM member Jamie Cosgrove (check back with Branford Patch for stories on the Republican candidates).

Though DaRos still has to file paperwork to run and needs the official nomination from the Democrat Town Committee (that will be done July 28 at their convention), DaRos took some time to answer a few questions for the readers of Branford Patch.

Q: Was there a defining moment for you when you decided to run again?
A: I don’t know if there was a defining moment but there was a little bit of business to finish and projects to complete.

Q: What kind of projects and business?
A: The federal project – Amtrak Bridge and . I am pushing to complete the full station. I believe mass transportation is the future. I’d like to see Branford be part of it, such as having a full station. Some people named it [access to the train to New Haven] as a reason why they live here.

I’d certainly like to see the come to pass. I think in the hands of a private developer that will be a good project. If we wait for the state of Connecticut to do it we may grow very old very quickly.

We also have to bring to a conclusion. Get a site selection and go on with construction.

Q: Is there one project in all your tenure that you are most proud of?
A: I don’t dwell on accomplishments – I leave that to the people to judge. When it’s over [a project], it’s on to the next one. I’d rather they [people] see the deed, opposed to talking about it, which aggravates some people.

Q: Which of your accomplishments has been the most beneficial to the community in your opinion?
A: I recognize that the town of Branford is a very diverse community and I believe diversity is its strength… The – there was a group of people who came together and made it happen and we let it happen. There have always been strong volunteers in Branford and I’m not taking the credit for any of them but we are an environment where they thrive and they don’t need town government to get in the way.

Q: What’s the intent of your campaign for office?
A: We’ll go out with an agenda, what we expect to happen over the next couple of years. What we’ll do is take the high road. I don’t need to be negative about anything.

Q: What do you know about your potential opponent Joy McConnell?
A: I know very little about her and I am sure she is a fine lady.

Q: What do you think of the Republican Party and what they’ll say and do?
A: I find some of their statements interesting and they’ll be addressed. For example, me being antidevelopment; there maybe store windows closed every once and a while but it doesn’t take them long to open again. There’s a pretty good litany of businesses that have expanded here and want Branford to be their home.

Q: Do you think Wayne Cooke’s truck with his anti- current administration billboards will hurt your campaign?
A: I have enough confidence in Branford that they can see through this. There’s a little bit of town business to do and he’s certainly not interested in town business.

Q: Do you think this campaign, with all the recent tension, will be a battle?
A: Unfortunately, I have no problem doing battle. I don’t mind the battle. I having been doing it for 60 some-odd years; why would this be any different? But some people would rather fight than win. Good fights are great every once in a while but there has to be a reason. If you’re fighting for the sake of fighting people will see that.

Q: If you win or don’t, will you run again?
A: This is definitely my last term – there are just a few more things I want to get done before I cross over.