Tarzia And Kolenberg Hold Their Ground

Former Board of Finance chairman Joe Tarzia and Board of Finance member Bob Kolenberg, forced to defend themselves in light of past controversies, stood firm on their policies and decisions during the final Board of Finance debate before the November municipal election. 

"No on has been more accessible to the public than Joe Tarzia...I always believe that in a democracy, you must be available to the public, you must know what's going on," Tarzia said at Tuesday evening's final Board of Finance debate, which was sponsored by the Women's League of Voters and the Stamford Advocate. 

Tarzia and Bob Kolenberg, both Independent candidates for the Board of Finance, faced subtle criticism during the debate, as the term "dysfunctional" was used several times early in the debate to define the current state of the Board of Finance.

"The Board members themselves need to stop acting in nonsensical ways," David Martin said during the debate, when asked what the Board's most important issue was.

At a in which Stamford Police Association announced its support of Democratic Board of Finance candidates David Martin, Mary Lou Rinaldi, and John Louizos, SPA president Joe Kennedy stated that Tarzia and Kolenberg had not shown leadership as Board of Finance members, and that they had been "grandstanding". 

"They know they'll have a blank check as far as how the money will be spent for overtime and other uses of the department," Tarzia told Patch in regards to SPA's endorsement of the Democratic candidates.

Besides a declared focus on senior living quality, stating that he was "about to be a senior himself", Tarzia voiced his commitment to the cause of saving the Yacht Haven boatyard. A petition is currently  "I think that the organizers are doing a great job to save a working boatyard," Tarzia said. 

According to Mayor Michael Pavia, they have been no documented plans of any form to turn the Yacht Haven boatyard into a residential area. 91% of respondents in a recent Patch poll felt that the boatyard was worth preserving. 

Much of the scrutiny Tarzia and Kolenberg have faced during their campaign appears to be focused around a reputation of being "confrontational", as stated by Joe Kennedy, and to an ethics complaints filed against them nearly two years ago, which led to Tarzia's resignation as Board of Finance chairman last February. He was replaced by , who is currently running against him.

Bob Kolenberg defended his decision-making when answering a question about his leadership style.

"I have never voted a tax increase, and I never will," Kolenberg said. "I make decisions based on the quantified interests of the taxpayers."

Kolenberg would also suggest that Stamford return to holding a fireworks show, as city funds were no longer "being stolen by scrap metal." 

Apparently undeterred by less-apparent and outright attacks, Tarzia states that he remains active in many local issues, such as the Volunteer Fire Department Plan, Board of Finance issues, and the Yacht Haven boatyard.

"If you don't want me, vote me out, my pay will be the same," Tarzia declared at Tuesday's debate.