Meet The Candidate for East Windsor First Selectman: Denise Menard

Name:  Denise Menard

Age:  59

Political affiliation:  Democrat

Position you’re seeking:  First Selectman

Information about your family:  Husband David, Son Jason, Daughter Dawn, Step Sons Matthew and Peter and 10 Grandchildren.

Occupation:  First Selectman since 2007, Senior Paralegal in Commercial Real Estate and Health Care Compliance prior to being First Selectman

Political Experience:  served on East Windsor's Board of Selectmen for 10 years, former Chairman of Planning and Zoning Commission, Pension Board and Water Pollution Control Authority, past member of the Board of Finance and Elderly Commission.
 
Other Experience:  Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies, Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management,on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities’ and the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency.

Why did you run for office?  East Windsor still has many challenges ahead and I would like to continue building on the good foundation we have created through open, honest government.  In the last 4 years, I have learned a great deal about the business of running a town.  I, along with 2 very different Boards of Selectmen, have tackled some extremely difficult issues by working together respectfully and making decisions that were good for the community regardless of personal interests or political parties.  Together we have moved the Town toward a healthy future.   I am confident that the Town’s residents and business community would benefit from the years of experience I bring to the position; experience I have gained from my volunteer service, work experience as a paralegal, my education and the time I have served as First Selectman. 

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus?
My primary areas of focus will be:

• intelligent business and residential growth while maintaining East Windsor country charm,

• efficient use of every tax dollar we collect,

• maintaining open and transparent communication by continuing to institute new ideas such as the Selectmen's Citizens Hour" that we began last year,

• continue pursuing State and Federal grants to help supplement our budget, and

• although the First Selectman has little influence on the education side of the Town's responsibilities, I believe it is imperative that we provide our children with the highest quality education possible.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing East Windsor today? 
I feel the two biggest issues are:
1 - with the North Road sewer project near completion, we need to carefully consider how to develop that business corridor, and
2 - providing the best education possible to our children.
 
What skills do you have that you could bring to the community?
The paralegal and business skills I have are a great fit for this position.  Approaching the Board of Selectmen as a team, problem solving by listening to many opinions respectfully and together building a consensus of the best ideas, negotiating difficult issues on the Town's behalf and trying to keep a sense of humor in an often challenging business climate are some of the skills needed that I think I bring to the community.
 
Anything else you would like to share?  I am also an active Rotarian, currently Vice President, and a Paul Harris Fellow.