Francis Pennarola

Democrat, District 1

Personal info: I’m 50 years old, born and raised in Danbury and a Newtown resident for the past 12 years. I live at 17 Webster Place with my wife Maureen Pennarola and our three sons Adam, 15 and a sophomore at NHS, Brian, 12 and a seventh grader at NMS and Patrick, age 10 and in fifth grade at Head O’ Meadow. I have been an attorney in private practice in Danbury for 25 years.

 I’m the President of the Trustees of Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association. I am a member of Saint Rose Church. I am a member of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce.

 What personal qualities do you have that you believe will benefit the Legislative Council? — I am willing to work hard to understand the issues. I respect the rights of others to disagree with me and understand that on many issues, reasonable men and women can, in good faith, disagree. I will work to build consensus. But on issues where consensus can’t be reached, I’ll defend my views. The council is a representative body. I am willing to listen to constituents’ views and to consider them in deciding on any important issues. Ultimately, the vote would be mine and I would accept the responsibility for it.

What will be the council’s biggest challenge in the next two years? — Given the downturn in the state and US, and the likely impact on financial aid from those sources, I think the town’s finances will be under pressure. We need to find a way to improve and maintain our schools, working with the Board of Education, while trying to hold down spending in other areas. The schools are important, not only to me who has three sons in the system, but also to every property owner. Good schools help property values, and every person is concerned about the future of the town and the country. The children are the future.

Do you favor economic development at Fairfield Hills, or should the campus be used solely for municipal purposes? — I think it should be primarily for town and recreational functions. Perhaps a small portion of it could be developed for office or other low impact use.

The proposed changes to the charter may fail on November 6 because of confusion and concern over the need to implement the changes in just 30 days because of a clerical error. Would you be willing to reappoint a charter revision commission next year to bring these changes before the public again a year from now so that they may be considered solely on their merits? — Yes. I would be willing to appoint as many members of the present Charter Revision Commission who would be willing to serve. I think the same basic questions should be returned to the voters next November. I want to be sure that the Charter will give the Board of Education the time it needs to act and understand that some of the deadlines may need to be adjusted. I think the voters should have an opportunity not only to decided the issues, but also to elect the first Finance Committee if that is their choice.