The Hartford Courant has reaction to the Democratic Directors announcement yesterday that they would be seeking reelection this fall. As the article noted, the Directors have confronted the issues of the community head on, initiating innovative and successful solutions to the most pressing problems.Emphasis mine:
Sheridan said the backgrounds of the five Democrats - law, engineering, public safety and working with people with disabilities - and their political experience have given the team success.
"We're not a bunch of political or governmental neophytes," said Sheridan, who has been on the board since 2001. "We can do this job and we can do it well."
Sheridan said the problems facing the town two years ago have been addressed and he would like to see the next board address a couple of other issues. He said the board needs to address spaceneeds at the library and to improve the elementary schools that have not been recently renovated. Town buildings, especially the schools, have undergone or are in the middle of major renovations.
"One of the reasons I'm running is to see these projects through," said O'Neill, who served on the school board before being elected to the board of directors two years ago.
She also has been outspoken about historic and land preservation."I'm not going anywhere and I really, really want to see this town succeed for many generations to come," O'Neill said.
Doucette said planning ahead is one of the most important jobs of the board.
"Responsible planning, forward thinking ... what's going to make sense three, four years down the road," Doucette said.
Zingler, who was elected to the board of directors in 2001, said the town should be proud of its achievements in the past two years, such as creating a tax credit program for low-income residents and a program that gives senior citizens tax relief.
"We love this town and it would be an honor and privilege to serve again," Zingler said.
Topping, a retired Hartford police officer who runs his own landscaping business, said he brings the public safety and business mind-set to the board. Topping said he has fought hard for more funding for the police and fire departments to hire more officers.
"I just want to continue what I started two years ago," he said.
