64TH DISTRICT Delphi retiree challenges state representative Sferra

The challenger wants state funding assistance to update septic systems.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- State Rep. Dan Sferra faces a challenge for the Democratic nomination to retain his 64th House district seat from a retired employee from Delphi Packard Electric.
Randall N. Pigott, 58, of Howland, lists his main priority as seeking state assistance to help homeowners update septic systems and to update and extend city and county sewer lines where needed. He likens his plan to the state Issue 2 program which provides money for road projects.
Pigott retired in 1997 from Delphi after 32 years of service in various jobs.
Sferra, 54, a former Warren mayor who has held the House seat since 1995, names campaign finance reform as his priority.
"I want to pass a campaign finance reform bill that would enable the average person to run for office and have a chance to win," Sferra said.
Law awaits
The winner will face Republican Randy Law in the November general election. Law mounted an unsuccessful challenge to Sferra in November 2002. He also ran unsuccessfully against Mayor Michael J. O'Brien for the mayoral seat in November 2003.
The need for state assistance for septic system upgrades became apparent to Pigott when he and his siblings attempted to sell their mother's house.
Before selling it, they had to get the septic system inspected and found they had to make $11,000 worth of improvements. Because they split the costs among one another, Pigott and his family could shoulder the costs, but he worries about others, like senior citizens, and their ability to pay.
Pigott also ran for a House seat in 1992.
Sferra points to his years of public service as his qualification. He served as Warren mayor from 1980-95 and as a city councilman from 1972-79.
denise.dick@vindy.com