Date: Fri 25-Oct-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

candidate-profiles-Varese

Full Text:

Candidate Profiles: Bill Varese

State Representative Bill Varese, the unopposed incumbent Republican candidate

for the 112th District, wants to focus his efforts next term on fostering more

local control of issues relating to ordinances and regulations, as well as

reducing state income and sales taxes and returning control of spending

programs to municipalities. Mr Varese represents Monroe, and Newtown's 3-B

District.

"I believe in home rule - having control at the local level so citizens have

more to say," said the candidate. "I supported getting rid of state mandates

and would like to see more state mandates washed away."

Loss of jobs in the state due to cutbacks in the defense and other industries

is another problem Mr Varese would like to address during his upcoming term.

He supports giving businesses tax credits and reductions to encourage

expansion. To attract new business to the state, he would like to see tax

abatements on the local level and tax credits for hiring more than a specified

amount of people.

Mr Varese, who co-sponsored the welfare reform legislation in the house, said

he would like to see some additional work done with it after it has been in

effect and problems manifest themselves. He does not believe any type of

incentive should be given to employers who hire welfare recipients.

He remains a strong proponent of magnet and charter schools. "The key to

education has to be what is in the best interest of children, not what is in

the best interest of special interest groups. Sometimes I think people do

forget that," he said. "I will not support any type of state mandate."

Health insurance is another problem that needs scrutiny, especially the way

the industry "is handling HMOs," he said. Mr Varese supported the law that

eliminated so-called "drive-through deliveries" for women who give birth. "I

think it should be up to the doctor how long the patient stays in the

hospital," he said. "And I think people should be able to choose their

physicians."

Last term, Mr Varese said he contributed to getting a zero-growth budget -

something he promised to attempt. "We also had a nominal cut in income tax,

and I'm hopeful that there will be more severe cuts in the upcoming term," the

candidate said. "The number of business taxes were cut back - that was also

part of the promise I made last election. And we have had consolidation within

the various departments in state government."

Mr Varese does not support the idea of affordable housing. "It's a

socio-economic issue," he said. People who come to a town like Newtown are

drawn by the good school system, the parks, and the houses, he said. "This is

America. And it's an encouragement for people to work and save and follow

their dream."

Although the candidate is unopposed, he welcomes the opportunity to speak to

groups and hear the concerns of residents. "I've always been open and

available to my constituents. I've always been fairly direct about my

positions. But I'm open-minded and appreciate dialogue," he said.

The candidate graduated cum laude from Cumberland Law School, and has been a

practicing attorney since 1976. He is a member of the Connecticut and

Bridgeport Bar associations. Mr Varese is a member of the Bridgeport Lions

Club. His volunteer service also includes work as former activities chairman

of Sachem District Boy Scouts of America, Monroe Korean War and Vietnam War

Memorials committees, YMCA Youth Organization, and former coach for Monroe

Little League.

Mr Varese chaired the legislative and administrative subcommittee of of Monroe

Town Council. He was vice chairman of Monroe Housing Authority, chairman of

Monroe Housing, Chairman of Monroe Republican Town Committee, assistant town

attorney of Monroe, and a member of the Monroe Republican Town Committee from

1984 to present.

As state representative he is ranking member of Banks Committee, a member of

the Judiciary Committee, Bill Screening. He was past member of the General Law

Committee.