6A Bulletin, Wilton, Conn. Nov. 3, 2011

2011 Wilton Voters’ Guide

Harold Clark

Harold Clark (R)Washington and Lee University; Harvard Business School 1970 MBA; COO/CFO Northeast Radiology; six years Board of Selectman, trustee Wilton Pension Fund.

• Twenty-seven years experi-ence in understanding town gov-ernment and in finding and work-ing with citizen volunteers for our many boards and commissions;

• Executive management experience and leadership skills in areas of direct value to Wilton such as human resources, attracting businesses, marketing research, planning and budget-ing;

• Belief in excellent schools for our children and our property values;

• Will demand fiscal reason and an informed focus on fiscal realities.

Bill Brennan

Bill Brennan (R)First selectman 2005-11; previ-

ously served on Board of Finance, Board of Assessment Appeals; executive with American National Can Company, 1962-96; lived in Wilton 36 years.

Goals: Lower municipal ener-gy costs; improve deteriorated roads through special funding appropriation, establish Economic Development Commission and specific goals to promote long-term growth, seek economic assistance grants to improve Comstock Community Center and build walkway to the train sta-tion, continue to make infrastruc-ture improvements to the village center, support Stay at Home in Wilton and organize initiatives to retain our elder citizens, pursue selective open space opportuni-ties, always be available to assist citizens with problems.

“If after serving, the commu-nity feels that the town of Wilton has become a better place to live and raise a family, then I will feel very rewarded.”

Richard J. Dubow

Richard J. Dubow (D)Williams College and

Columbia University. Thirty-four years consulting in market research and strategic planning. Over 20 years service on Wilton boards: Education, Finance (chair), and Selectmen.

The major challenge confront-ing Wilton today is to identify and adopt those alternative strat-egies that allow us to maintain and improve current levels of service to the town, and to do so without unduly increasing the tax burden on our residents, espe-cially seniors. If experience has taught me anything, it is that with challenges come numerous opportunities. I certainly do not have all of the answers. What I do know, however, is that even in painfully difficult economic times we must continue to invest in our future, and in no case can we allow either stagnation or regression to become the default options.

Ted Hoffstatter

Ted Hoffstatter (D)Wilton is my hometown. I

attended Wilton Public Schools. I currently work with at risk youth in the New Haven Public School System at New Horizons High School.

It is a pleasure and an honor to serve on the Board of Selectmen. I have served on the Water Pollution Control Authority Board, the Wilton Library board of trustees, as chair of the Democratic Town Committee, and as your select-man since 2007. I have also been the Democratic State Central Committee representative for the 26th District since 2008. Multiple roles provide me the opportunity to connect what happens here in town to what happens on the state level. I am humbled and honored to be running with talented, dedi-cated candidates on both sides of the aisle. We need creative, open-minded individuals who are willing to work together.

James A. Saxe

James A. Saxe (R)An 11-year resident of Wilton,

Board of Education (2007-pres-ent); Board of Selectmen-appoint-ed trustee of Wilton Library (2002 to 2008); chairman of Health, Education, Welfare Committee of Republican Town Committee.

Looking forward to applying my business and board experi-ence to serve the town of Wilton and prepare for the future. A fiscal conservative committed to controlling expenses. Would use Board of Ed experience to advance excellence in schools and help manage the budget pro-cess. A consensus builder and negotiator, would use skills to increase dialogue between town boards and commissions and the community, students, the elderly and businesses.

Hopes to help the board keep and attract more small businesses in town and increase the towns visibility.

John Comisky

John Comisky (R)Resident of Wilton since

1986. Professional experience: 43 years in corporate facilities for IBM, Pepsico and Verizon. Retired November 2010.

Having served on the Zoning Board of Appeals for the last five years has been most rewarding to know that the boardʼs efforts have con-tributed to the future growth and development of this great town. As trends in develop-ment and modes of living change through the years, I believe we have the respon-sibility to protect what makes Wilton special and also keep an open mind to the needs of generations to come: a unique balance and responsibility of the ZBA.

Steven Davidson

Steven Davidson (D)The candidate offered no

comment.

Joseph Fiteni Jr.

Joseph Fiteni Jr. (R)Environmental engineer with

more than 30 years of experience in the planning, design and con-struction of water, wastewater, solid waste and other municipal projects. Resident of Wilton for 18 years. Member of the Inland Wetlands Commission for 10 years, five as chairman.

My family and I enjoy the quality of life and character of Wilton. I believe that imple-menting and carrying out land use regulations such as zoning, play an important part in main-taining this quality of life and character. My professional expe-rience in environmental engi-neering provides me and my role on the ZBA with the skills and judgment required to make fair and impartial zoning vari-ance decisions.

Barbara Frees (R)Resident of Wilton 15 years;

member of Wilton Planning & Zoning Commission 199-2007, ZBA 1997-2011; attorney in private practice in Westchester County, N.Y.

I embrace the New England concept of volunteer govern-ment. While ZBA is an elected position, it is unpaid, and truly volunteer. Wilton has a unique character worth preserving. The town has well-thought-out zon-ing regulations, but sometimes owners of our older properties, pre-dating the regulations, find it difficult to make changes to their properties, even to repair them, due to limitations in the zoning regulations. The ZBA acts as a relief mechanism to relax these rules if it finds a legal hardship. It is gratifying to serve on a board that can help owners of older buildings maintain their proper-ties and make changes necessary for living in the 21st Century.

Brian Lilly

Brian Lilly - alt (D)I moved to Wilton in 1973,

graduate of WHS class of ʼ83. Graduate of University of Southern California. Worked in the legal industry since 1994.

I have seen this town change over the last almost 40 years. Some change was for the better and some not, but I wanted to see if I could help guide the future. The Board of Appeals handles only the cases that have a non-favor-able outcome to one side in the planning and zoning phase and feel I can work with the other board members to be sure that Wilton moves in a favorable direction.

Sally Poundstone (R)Submitted by the RTC:

Sally is currently the distin-guished chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission. She will be term-limited in December and has graciously agreed to volunteer her expe-rience and expertise for the continued benefit of Wilton by agreeing to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Lynne Vanderslice (R)A retired corporate con-

troller and CPA, Lynne is the vice chair of the Board of Finance, vice president of ABC of Wilton and a member of the Board of Governors of Fairfield College Preparatory High School. She has held sev-eral civic leadership posi-tions in Wilton.

During these changing economic times, a critical role for the BOF is to bal-ance the need to maintain quality services within the town with the concerns of the large number of taxpay-ers who have seen a decline in earnings and or property values and wealth. During my time on the Board of Finance, I have demonstrated that I have the skills, the interest and the work ethic to add value in this role.

Al Alper (R)Since moving here in 2001, our

taxes have gone up considerably in comparison to other towns we looked at before choosing Wilton. I am running to protect the qual-ity and character of Wilton life by working to ensure it remains affordable for our citizens while retaining the high standards that also add to its draw.

During my next term I will con-tinue to champion a more expan-sive use of shared services between our sister boards, our towns and our Board of Education. While we have wrung virtually all excesses from the system, taxes will contin-ue to increase at an unsustainable rate unless we find creative ways to share those costs by combining duplicative services, auto-mating and/or outsourcing others, and ending services thatʼve reach the end of their useful life. We must also look for more creative and efficient ways to deliver services.

James Meinhold (D)While the Board of Finance

has made great strides in the past few years to educate and engage voters in the town bud-get process, I believe weʼve only scratched the surface. My goal by the end of the next term is to dramatically improve citizen involvement at all stages of the budget development process, includ-ing voter turnout.

Citizen involvement in all aspects of town government is both a right and a privi-lege.

Involvement is impor-tant because it increases legitimacy, efficiency, and accountability. Participation can take many forms rang-ing from offering opinions to attending public hearings to holding office.

Lynne Vanderslice Al Alper James Meinhold

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

BOARD OF FINANCE

Charlie LewisAB and JD degrees from Emory University. Served in Air Force as a

judge advocate. Worked as an assistant United States attorney. Most of career spent with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, as an attorney, then senior attorney, then regional counsel, North-Atlantic Region (title changed to assis-tant chief counsel, New York).

As a Wilton resident for 36 years, I have always been interested in govern-ment matters and believe that public service is a high calling. I think serving on the Board of Assessment Appeals is a significant opportunity to serve the com-munity. In the past, I have served Wilton as a parking hearing officer, member of the Water Commission, and justice of the peace. I have also served as an election official in a number of Wilton elections.

ASSESSMENT APPEALS

Fred Sindel

Candidate Fred Sindel offered no comment.

FIRST SELECTMAN

Nov. 3, 2011 Bulletin, Wilton, Conn. 7A

2011 Wilton Voters’ Guide

Christine Finkelstein (R)Wilton Parks and

Recreation Commission (2006-present), Parent Teacher Association, Wilton Soccer Association, League of Women Voters; Meetinghouse Partners Consultants (2007-2011), Philip Morris USA Corporate Affairs (1987-2000); two children, one in WHS.

Wilton can be very proud of its commitment to edu-cation and of the excellent school system we have built. Wiltonians have long demon-strated a willingness to sup-port the schools, but we need to make certain taxpayers are receiving good value for their investment. I will work to ensure our tax dollars are spent wisely. I will also ensure the needs of our students always come first. My goal is that every child will leave our schools with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their post-secondary pursuits.

Lory Rothstein (R)Nine-year Wilton resident; three

children in public schools, B.S. La Salle Univerity. Professional: Positive Directions, Westport, 2009 - pres-ent; Xerox Corporation, 1984-1996; Wilton PTA Council president among other positions.

I want to help the Wilton Public Schools return to excellence by:

• Supporting a positive relation-ship and working partnership with the other town boards and thereby with the whole community.

• Ensuring the Wilton Public Schools leverage technology to pro-vide the best learning experience for our students.

• Supporting responsible spending and investing that is aligned with 21st Century education.

• Bringing back accountability of the school administration to the Board of Education, whose members represent the taxpayers, and in turn…

• Promoting a spirit of collaboration between the Board of Education and the administration.

Laura Schwemm (D)Attended Mount Holyoke

College and the University of California at Berkeley. My hus-band, Bob Hoch, three children and I have lived in Wilton since 1997.

I was raised in Wilton with its excellent schools. It was not until I sent my first child to elemen-tary school in Oakland, Calif., that I realized what a commit-ment to public schools meant. My husbandʼs job moved us back to Wilton (Bob is also a graduate of Wilton High). My oldest child is now at MIT, having attended Wilton schools from grade 1 through 12. I want all Wilton children to succeed in school and for the schools to be successful for them. Education is not a for-profit business but an investment in the health of our community. As we give to our children, so our children will give back to us.

Lory Bufano

Lory Bufano (R) BA in English and communi-

cations from Villanova University, MBA from the University of New Haven. Extensive work experi-ence in healthcare supply chain management.

I am a longtime resident of Wilton, having attended Wilton Public Schools. Most of my fam-ily currently resides here and I have a vested interest in preserv-ing the character of our town. I believe that Planning and Zoning is the commission that guides the future development of a commu-nity and has the ability to enhance quality of life for its residents. I currently hold the position of secretary for the Zoning Board of Appeals. My experience on this committee along with my work experience allow me to be ideally suited for a position on Planning and Zoning.

John Gardiner

John Gardiner (D)My town service includes eight

years on the Inland Wetlands Commission (chairman), five years on the Zoning Board of Appeals (vice chairman) and roughly one year on P&Z.

I was elected by P&Z last January to complete a portion of Alice Ayers ̓four-year term. I am now required to run for the final two years of her term and I am pleased to do so.

If elected in November, I will continue to work with my fel-low commissioners to implement Wiltonʼs Plan of Conservation and Development, which calls for managing growth in a man-ner that is consistent with the communityʼs quality of life and semi-rural character.

Chris Hulse

Chris Hulse (R)CEO, Inflection Point Media.

Wife Jennifer married for 12 years. Three Children Betsy 10, Chip and Jane 6. Wilton resident 10 years.

Volunteerism and public ser-vice is a cornerstone to establish-ing a strong community. Iʼm fortunate to live and raise my children in a fantastic town like Wilton. As a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission I look forward to continue the good work of enforcing the regu-lations established by those who have gone before me.

Dona Pratt

Dona Pratt (R) Served on P&Z four years;

Board of Education eight years (two as chair); Wilton Energy Commission three years. Initially with IBM; currently a business analyst for software firm. Wilton since 1986; two sons; formerly Dona P. Waskom.

Iʼm running for a second term on P&Z to continue our efforts to ensure that Wilton maintains its semi-rural and historic charac-ter, while carefully growing our commercial base in a non-intru-sive, sustainable way. My focus is on a few specific areas includ-ing finding ways to help our seniors stay in Wilton through more affordable housing alterna-tives, updating our regulations to allow more options in adap-tive use of historic structures, and helping turn Wilton into a greener, more pedestrian- and bike-friendly community.

Bo Mitchell

Bo Mitchell (D) Wilton police commission-

er for 16 years. He runs 911 Consulting creating emergency plans for organizations like GE Headquarters. Bo has 14 board certifications.

Deborah McFadden

Deborah McFadden (D)I am vice chair and campaign

chair of the Wilton Democratic Town Committee.

Constables hold an office that has evolved over time. Before towns like Wilton had police depart-ments, the constables were the law enforcement officers. Some of the statutes refer to things like guarding bridges and quelling riots. My per-sonal goal now is to become more involved in emergency prepared-ness and response. During Irene I had my own personal emergency when three trees hit our house.

Chris Dubrowski

Chris Dubrowski (R)I am a partner at DeLoitte and

Touche LLP in Stamford.I was asked to by the Republican

Town Committee to run for this position. At the time, I was presi-dent of the Chamber of Commerce and the treasurer of the Wilton Y and pretty high-profile in the community. I canʼt really say that the constables do much to serve the community; the position is required under the town charter and dates back to the early days of Connecticut town governance. But we stand ready if needed.

Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner (R)I am a Wilton EMT and EMS

instructor, and helped form the CERT organization in town. Paul Hannah, who was first selectman at the time, asked all the con-stables to research and provide a report on supplemental sup-port for emergency services (Fire, Police, and EMS) in Wilton.

Constable Ziegler and I began forming the CERT organization here in Wilton patterned after the CERT program in New Canaan. Mr. Ziegler, several other con-stables, and I are still members of CERT. The program helps train and equip citizens to be prepared to help themselves and their neighbors in the event of a disaster, crisis or emergency.

Dick Ziegler

Dick Ziegler (R)Business development man-

ager-NMCI Group, account executive-Oiltest, Inc., opera-tions specialist-Texaco/FAMM/Chevron, area manager-Standard Commercial Corporation; married with two grown children.

I moved here over 19 years ago and began community service shortly thereafter. I have served on the RTC, Inland Wetlands Commission and as first execu-tive director of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), which I helped establish with Chris Gardner and others.

I have been an active constable as well as helping to start a valu-able organization such as CERT.

As I have received a lot of benefits from living in a town such as Wilton, I feel it is important to give back to the local community. I learned the idea of community service from my parents and I believe we should all contribute more than we take.

PLANNING & ZONING

CONSTABLE

John Weiss

John Weiss (D)Current member Wilton

Zoning Board of Appeals and Village District Design Committee. Professional experi-ence includes over 10 years of work on land use matters.

I am running for a position on the Planning and Zoning Commission because of the need to balance efforts to pro-tect Wiltonʼs special character while meeting the townʼs need to develop and increase its tax base. We need to safeguard the townʼs natural and historic envi-ronment — trees, open spaces, ecologically sensitive areas and historic buildings — from exces-sive development. New develop-ment needs to be contextual and appropriate for the townʼs charac-ter. This means more residential and commercial development in downtown Wilton and along the Route 7 corridor, and promoting carefully designed development where it will impact environ-mental and historic features.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Christine Finkelstein Lory Rothstein Laura Schwemm

VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8