Southbury resident Jenn Fenn tells Patch why she should be elected to the Board of Selectmen.
SOUTHBURY, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Southbury and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.
Southbury Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.
Southbury resident Jenn Fenn tells Patch why she should be elected to the Board of Selectmen.
How old will you be as of Election Day?
Find out what's happening in Southburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
46
Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.
https://www.southburydemocrats...
Please give us your party affiliation.
Democrat
Education.
Pomperaug High School
What is your occupation?
Executive Assistant to HVMA President, Heritage Village Master Association.
Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.
My immediate family consists of my husband Greg, who had a career as a blacksmith/farrier. My 24-year-old daughter Kylie, who is currently attending school for digital arts and works as a manager at Michaels here in Southbury. And Caitlin, my 20-year-old daughter who is attending school for veterinary medicine.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No
Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?
I currently serve as Vice-Chair of the Senior Services Commission here in town, as well as sit on the Governing Board of the Southbury Senior Alliance.
Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?
Working in Heritage Village I began noticing a disconnect between HV and the Town. I chose to join the Senior Services Commission to see if I could help bridge the gap. It didn’t take long to see that there was an even larger disconnect between the Commission and the Town. I started attending Board of Selectmen meetings and saw that this gap was not just between the Town and our seniors, but also between the Town and a LOT of our residents, especially those that don’t fit into a certain income bracket. People’s voices were being ignored. People’s needs were being ignored. That is why I decided to run for a seat on the Board of Selectmen.
Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.
I think that the single most pressing issue facing my constituents, I feel, is not being heard. I plan to have open dialogue with anyone who has the desire, take their concerns seriously, and bring their ideas/concerns to the Board for discussion and possible action.
What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I think the most obvious difference between me and the other candidates is that I am so new to politics. But I think that gives me an advantage. I’m coming in with a new set of eyes and ears, and hopefully, with new ideas on how we can help our residents.
If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?
I think the most obvious difference between me and the other candidates is that I am so new to politics. But I think that gives me an advantage. I’m coming in with a new set of eyes and ears, and hopefully, with new ideas on how we can help our residents.
What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
One of the main issues in Southbury currently is affordable housing. We need more of it. Not just to help us get closer to the 10% requirement by the State, which we are too far from. We need to help Southbury families, seniors, and employees who are struggling and would greatly benefit from having a more affordable option.
More importantly, I want to hear what the citizens of Southbury think the most important issues are. I feel that their concerns are more important than my own. I will be working for them, speaking for them.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
My role in Heritage Village has changed greatly since I started there 8 years ago as a temporary Office Assistant. Despite my lack of a college education, I was able to learn as much as I could about the inner workings of the governance here and work my way up. What I didn’t know, I researched, learned, and applied. I’ve already begun doing this for Town governance by studying the Town Charter, attending BoS meetings, and reading the minutes of past meetings. This has helped me immensely in Heritage Village and will continue to do so in the role of Selectman.
What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
To have a happy life all you need to do is think less about what you want and think more about what is best for everyone.
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Related:Connecticut Election 2023
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