To the Editor:
Although Mayor Simmons shared a proclamation to protect single-family neighborhoods pertaining to the 2035 Comprehensive Plan, can we trust her? Until we hear the Planning Board’s recommendations and see a revised redlined version, we can’t. She has not been fully transparent.
Due to the tension Mayor Simmons and the Sasaki Associates have created in the community, the 2035 Comprehensive Plan will now be voted on September 30, 2025, by the Planning Board (not September 16th as originally planned). Knowing there is tremendous angst, it is important to understand the back stories behind Mayor Simmons’ crafty ways.
Let’s connect the dots…
Legislative Rat…On June 7, 2023, the last day of the 2023 session, Mayor Simmons, Rep. Bill Pizzuto, and Sen. Bob Duff were the rats who persuaded state legislators to quietly slip a 225-word paragraph into the state Fair Share bill which aimed to meet regional housing needs, cut down on segregation, and allow the government to take property using eminent domain. All 169 municipalities were affected—changes were made to land use regulations as well as Stamford’s and Westport’s home rule provisions. Most abhorrent and quite manipulative, this all happened without a public hearing or input from Connecticut citizens. Mayor Simmons didn’t even inform her own elected city leaders. Although this bill passed statewide and blocked key portions of Stamford’s charter proposal, Simmons and her party didn’t stop there. After a year-long review, the Fair Share bill was resurrected in Hartford as HB 5002. Lucky for all Nutmeggers, it was vetoed by the governor this spring, but this issue is not over yet.
Mayor Simmons, our neighborhood homes and properties are ours, or will you swallow them up using political board votes, big developer money and eminent domain? What are your next steps in leading this conversation with ALL 16 neighborhoods? Will we as citizens be treated fairly, or overruled by you and your one-party machine?
Government Center Optics…From the time Mayor Simmons was elected (2021) to the present, it seems most departments at the Government Center still have Covid—the building is not operating at full capacity. Try to get a city permit—it is a nightmare for contractors. Need to talk to a Stamford Public Schools central office leader? There is no greeter or updated directory—just silence. Although Mayor Martin was very welcoming, Mayor Simmons is elusive and impossible to meet with. Most unconscionable, the city has missed completing three audits in a timely manner and it has cost the taxpayers even more money (2022, 2023, 2024).
Mayor Simmons, why has the Government Center been allowed to become disorganized, unfriendly and have little regard for its citizens? Are you truly interested in listening or are you just a puppet for the political team behind you?
Smoke Shops and Cannabis Dispensaries…Thanks to Zoning Board and Land Use Bureau 2023 regulations, Stamford is now one of the tougher cities in the state to open up a smoke shop. The bigger issue is protecting the licensed cannabis dispensaries. As investors and producers in this industry, the Linares-Simmons family is aware of this fine line. Their interests lie in the regulated market which is designed to protect public safety and kids. In a 2024 citywide police raid, more than 4,280 unregulated cannabis products were seized from eight Stamford smoke shops. Despite regulations, these items are still illegally marketed and purchased by kids in the Stamford Public Schools.
Mayor Simmons, if the ‘regulated’ industry is taking precautions so your family can profit from this market, what solutions keep ‘unregulated’ marijuana out of student hands? Most concerning, addiction is real throughout Stamford—we need K-12 prevention programs in our 23 schools. We hear nothing but crickets from your office and the Superintendent of Schools about such programs.
Wealthy Developers and Campaign Funders…When Mayor Simmons was elected in 2021, her top supporters (52%) were corporate and political leaders along with wealthy developers from New York, Florida, Maryland (Chevy Chase) and Connecticut, in particular Westport and Greenwich—her hometown. Some of the famous donors included Janet Napolitano, Larry Summers, Michael Douglas, Bette Midler and Rita Wilson. Former President Obama even stumped for Simmons.
Knowing Mayor Simmons likes to brag that ‘Stamford is the economic engine’ for the state, clearly the citizens of Stamford are being used to enrich a small group of wealthy, well-connected people who have profited from this. Mayor Simmons, did it occur to you that Stamford home and property owners deserve respect, too? As our quality of life goes down and taxes go up, we are helping you regardless of your network support.
Connect the Dots… As a community we need to connect the dots. Mayor Simmons, you have completely ignored democracy and failed to collaborate with the Board of Representatives—together you shape city governance. Instead, your failed track record has made government less responsive to everyone’s needs. Your actions have spoken much louder than your words.
Stamford has about 76,418 registered voters. There is still hope that there will be collaboration between the city boards, the people and a new mayor. We care about our city. We did not ask for more housing and density—you did. How much is enough? Time to vote using common sense…Anyone but Simmons.
Dr. Rebecca Hamman is a member of the Stamford Neighborhoods Coalition and an elected member of the Stamford Board of Education. She and her husband have resided in Stamford for 39 years. Her comments are her own, and do not represent the official views of the Board of Education or its committees.