Economic Development a Key Issue for Bascom

Don Bascom has spent his entire life in Portland. He's raised two children, been chairman of the planning and zoning commission, president of the Portland Fair Association and has spent many an hour volunteering.

He was even one of three recipients of the Spirit of Portland Award this year, an honor given annually to those who serve quietly and without recognition to make Portland a better place to live.

Now he wants to be the Portland First Selectman.

The man who tops the Republican ticket was a Democrat for most of his political life. But Bascom changed parties to run this year and Republicans were enthusiastic to have him.

Bascom says if he's elected he will take a proactive approach to bring about economic development in town. He feels very strongly that without expanding the tax base, the finances underpinning Portland will fail. He also believes it will help the town diversify with new business.

He would do it by building more sewers and installing water mains to take town water further east along Route 66.

Bascom would make it easier for two or three property owners to pool their holdings and be able to sell to developers with utilities ready to go. He says "a number have been approached" but the stumbling block is aways water or sewers.

He backs a new look at the project to build a mix of residential and commercial space on the old Elmcrest property near the town center. He says the principal developer has been hurt by the poor economy.

But Bascom is not recommending any "big box" store. He says the current zoning laws would prevent that.

Bascom spent a long time on the planning and zoning commission, rising to become chairman before leaving. He also has spent many years in the construction business, building homes and commercial properties with his own firm. He says he's handed most of that off to his nephew.

He is still a consultant for builders, but says he's been spending most of his time since his endorsement to campaign to become first selectman.

Another area Bascom would like the town to be involved with is new ways to look at energy and ways to get homeowners and business involved in conservation and perhaps some generation of power.

The lack of power after the October snow storm left more than 80 percent of Portland in the dark also was on Bascom's mind. He was upset there was "a lack of communication" from town hall in the first days of the outage. He charged there "was no one to take a call" at town hall. Residents could only leave a message at first.

As was demonstrated in his debates with the board of selectmen about getting the necessary preparations done to hold the Portland Fair this year, Bascom, who has been president of the Portland Fair for 12 years, also is passionate about agriculture. He graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a B.S. in microbiology. He went right to work for a dairy farm and then held supervisory positions with two other farms.

Bascom thinks farming should have a place in Portland's economic future.

"I'm a believer in local farming and production," said Bascome, who has talked to local grocers.

In selling produce grown here in Portland, he says at least one grocer is "on board with it." Bascom hopes to get the town involved in helping.

He also says the farms in Connecticut continue to disappear.

"Unless someone really champions the cause, I don't see any changes coming down the road," said Bascom, adding it's just more economical for farmers to sell their land.

The GOP was ramping up in the final weekend, making phone calls and pushing for a good turnout.

For more information, visit Don Bascom's web site.

Name: Don Bascom

Political Party: Republican

Office Seeking: First Selectman

Age: 60

Education: B.S. Microbiology from Southern Conn. State University.

Family: Wife, Diane, Two children, Brian, 19 and Katie, 21.

Occupation: 19 years residential and commercial construction; 12 years in dairy business.

Civic Affiliations: President of Portland Fair Association; Exchange Club.

Past Office Held: Planning and Zoning Commission.