Three Candidates For City Clerk Debate The Issues

Just a few short days ago the Plymouth Men's Club put on yet another debate for citizens of Milford. This debate was centered around our local candidates for city clerk and in attendance was Linda Stock, Richard Roy, and Michael Konopka. The guest of honor was certainly Alan Jebson who after many years as our city clerk is retiring.

All the candidates performed well, and Jebson got high regards from all the contenders on stage. Qustions were drawn from the audience, and in tradition with the procedures of the PMC the boy Scouts Helped usher in those questions. In attendance were about 75 people mostly party members and the candidates families.

The video below was filmed by MGAT and is the debate in its entirety. We highly recommend you watch it and vote for the best qualified candidate.

Dick Roy Will "Resign" If Successful In Bid For City Clerk

If state Rep. Richard F. Roy, D-Milford, is successful in his bid for city clerk, aldermanic Chairman Ben Blake, D-5, has been targeted by party leaders to run for the open seat.

Roy, D-119, said if he defeats his Republican challenger, Linda Stock, to succeed longtime City Clerk Alan Jepson, who is retiring in November, then he would resign his state House seat.

Jepson, a Democrat, has held the position since 1987. Democratic Party Chairman Richard Smith said several people have expressed interest in running for Roy’s seat. Smith said he’d like to see Blake “step up” if the seat becomes available.

“I have all the confidence in the world in (Blake) and know he would make an exceptional state legislator,” Smith said.

A special election would be called in the fall if Roy’s seat is vacated. The position would also be up in the regular 2010 election.

Blake said right now he’s focused on his seat on the Board of Aldermen, which is up for election in November.

However, Blake said he would consider running for state representative.

“It would be something I would consider, but it’s not a focus right now,” he said.

Blake said following Roy would be a difficult task, noting Roy’s seniority as a 17-year veteran of the General Assembly and his chairmanship of the Environment Committee.

Blake will seek his fourth term on the aldermanic board. He became chairman in 2007, when Democrats took control of the board for the first time in 24 years.

The 119th District includes the Woodmont and Morningside sections and areas directly north of downtown.

As for a Republican seeking to capture the seat, Republican Town Chairman Tom Jagodinski said the party would have no trouble coming up with candidates.

“Obviously, open seats are good for us as there is a reasonable chance for us to take those seats,” he said.

Planning and Zoning Board member Kevin Liddy, a Republican, ran unsuccessfully against Roy in 2006 and 2008.

Roy has said if victorious he will miss being a state representative, but is looking forward to the chance to work more directly with the public as city clerk.

Roy defeated PZB Vice Chairwoman Kim Rose at the Democrats’ nominating convention for the city clerk post.

Rose has said she will not run against Roy in a primary.

Original Story Chris Rhatigan

Michael Konopka for City Clerk 2009 Shares His Ideas

I am Michael Konopka, Milford’s Independent candidate for City Clerk. Please take a moment to review some of the initiatives I will take when elected. As an engineer and a manager, I am confident I will be able to implement these items and more, and do so with little or no financial impact on the taxpayers.

•Preserve Historical Documents
◦Create digital backups of paper records
◦Employ modern storage practices for existing records
◦Inventory and catalog all records
◦Evaluate and redesign emergency plans and current protective systems, focusing on preservation.

•Modernize and Organize
◦Index records for more efficient and accurate searches
◦Create database(s) for electronic document searching
◦Generate electronic versions of all common forms
◦Utilize website and email communications to reduce operating costs
◦Redesign web interface to optimize ease of use and capability
•Strengthen Customer Service
◦Evaluate all forms for efficiency and ease of use
◦Simplify licensing and application processes and requirements
◦Provide clear and concise instructions for all services offered
◦Ensure a pleasant experience for everyone utilizing the office
•Streamline Operations
◦Update licensing procedures
◦Eliminate wasteful spending and time management
◦Re-evaluate fee structures to ensure competitive rates
◦Digitize and organize land records for efficient use by lawyers, banks, title companies, realtors, and other professionals

Thank you for taking the time to visit this site and review the items I feel are necessary to bring the Clerk's office into the 21st century. Remember that the City Clerk is the only non-political, elected office in this city. I urge you to look past your political affiliations and view this election as a job interview, not a popularity or party patronage contest. In doing so I hope that you will support the candidate who can and will do the best job for this great city. Please consider the above issues and view my bio to see why I am the best choice for City Clerk. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact me using any of the methods listed at the top of this page, or submit your inquiry directly through the site by clicking here. I look forward to hearing from you and serving you as City Clerk.