Paul J. Mangiafico

15 Kent Road, Newtown

426-3490

E-mail: pjm215@aol.com

Family: Married to Maxine. Three grown children. Six grandchildren.

Party affiliation: Republican

Newtown residency: 10 Years

Education: BS mechanical engineering ; MS, management; Senior Management Executive Development at The Harvard School of Business & The Darden School of Business of the University of Virginia.

Occupation: Currently retired. Occasional business consultant. Last position, executive vice president,  BWAY Corporation

Question Responses:

1. The political leadership of Newtown must regain a connection to the people by folding long term planning activities into an ongoing comprehensive communication with the people. There is far too much dissension and disagreement as a result of poor communication about the future direction and objectives of our town.

2. As a member of the Board of Selectmen, I intend to move our town’s leadership to a more detailed and comprehensive 10-year plan and involve the people much more than has been done in the past. Additionally, these plans need much more widespread debate and understanding. There clearly needs to be a much greater recognition that fiscal planning needs to be structured to recognize that needs – both municipal and educational – must be prioritized as a matter of necessity so that we can clearly see and agree on meeting those needs without incurring huge long term debt.

3. My private sector executive leadership responsibilities and the four years I have devoted to serving Newtown’s residents as a member of the Board of Education have taught me that leadership entails looking far out into the future and listening carefully to the people. Clear and unambiguous speaking will eliminate confusion and distrust. It’s also important to understand that it is okay to disagree on things, as long as we do so without being disagreeable. Elected officials are loaned the public trust and must remember for whom they work. People want straight talk and desperately want to feel that they are being listened to. I believe that I have and will continue to conduct not only my affairs but the public’s business accordingly.

4. I believe that there are any number of needs that are significant but one area that is both emotional and of great importance to all residents is education and how we balance our children’s and grandchildren’s needs with the increasingly heavy tax burdens we bear. Frustration on everyone’s part is inevitable because the relationship between our Board of Education and other elected bodies is at best fair and at worst very poor. Where the fault lies is irrelevant. This can be corrected by better leadership and recognition that mutual respect and cooperation is not only beneficial but necessary. All elected and appointed officials, boards, commissions and agencies in town must be redirected by a new and unifying leadership to work in a respectful, helpful, and mutually assistive interagency manner. Not only can it be done, it must be done and I am up to this task. The town and its people will benefit, as will each and every board, commission, authority, official and volunteer serving Newtown.

5. The BOE must look out longer in its planning. Educational needs do not always trump municipal needs. These various needs are complimentary and must be melded together to provide an acceptable annual plan for the taxpayers to approve. Therefore, when municipal and educational leaders work together for the common good the taxpayers will benefit and divisiveness will diminish. The need to plan long term is extremely important because long term indebtedness is a mortgage on the future. It is because of the fact that educational needs take so much of the town’s revenues that long term planning for educational needs must be done and done well.  Additionally, educational union labor agreements must be handled with great skill and fairness because of the committed monies that instantly become firm obligations for years to come.

6. Even now, after six years, our leaders do not have a consensus regarding a balanced use of this most unique parcel of land. Fairfield Hills, which, in my judgment is a potential jewel, has instead become a lightening rod of anguish and criticism – some deserved and some irrational. The current administration believes with all its heart that it has a good and timely plan for its use. Many do not believe that. Good plans that have not included the people every step of the way are doomed to criticism and disagreement. The current administration has not used its considerable knowledge and skill to sell its vision for Fairfield Hills to the people of Newtown. The creation of the Fairfield Hills Authority has created an air of distrust and is under criticism by residents feeling disenfranchised. Good communication and people involvement is not just a good idea it is a necessity.

7. I absolutely believe that the prevailing attitude regarding local government is poor and getting worse, and not without good reason. Many people I have spoken with are fed up with town leadership. Is it any wonder that it took four - four - votes to get a budget passed this year? People were showing their anger at the ballot box. I believe I can make a difference and bring about positive change. If not, I would not be running for the Board of Selectmen. “How?” you may ask. It all starts by being straight with people; by listening to them more than has happened in the past; by saying what I mean and meaning what I say; by being fiscally conservative, by increasing our emphasis on long term planning; by holding meetings to conduct the public’s business at times more accessible to the public, by recognizing the worth of our employees in more meaningful ways; by negotiating labor agreements that are more in keeping with fairness and affordability; by clearly prioritizing our total needs and by conducting myself as an agent and representative of the people.

Joseph Bojnowski

6 North Branch Road,  Newtown

Phone: 426-6575

E-mail: nbrllc@msn.com

Family: Spouse, Jane; children, Perry, Wendy, Chad, Laura, and John. Member Trinity Episcopal Church.

Party affiliation:  Democrat

Newtown residency:  Since 1981, 26 years

Education: Newington High School, Newington, CT;  BS chemical engineering, Clarkson University; MS chemical engineering, University of Delaware.

Occupation: Business owner for nine years,  North Branch Resources, LLC.

Question responses:

1.  Limiting tax increases are the most important issue for Newtown.

2.  I will continue to work to keep the Board of Selectmen’s budgets at or below inflation.  Also, it is important for Newtown to attract a commercial tax base so that tax increases can be contained for our residential homeowners.  I would work and support commercial projects that are in keeping with the character of Newtown.  It is important to keep our seniors in Newtown so continued senior tax relief is one of my priorities.

3. I believe that my experience on the Board of Selectmen, in industry as an engineer and commercial manager, and as business owner are the talents that qualify me.   Also, I have co-chaired the Trinity Finance Commission for six years, which adds to my qualifications.

4.  Increasing public participation in town government is something that doesn’t get enough attention.  Volunteering for boards and commissions is important.  We must continue to reach out to get more citizens involved.

5.  The Board of Education needs to ensure expenditures are as cost effective as possible and that the highest percentage of funding reaches the classroom.

6. I support the Fairfield Hills master plan.  I feel that the authority’s recent success shows that they are effectively balancing these priorities. 

7. Connecticut’s property tax system creates significant pressure on communities and is difficult during tougher economic times.  This is why I have been so committed to controlling spending, keeping taxes low, and bringing appropriate economic development to the town.