Meet the Candidate for East Windsor Selectman: Alan Baker

Name: Alan Baker

Age: 44

Political affiliation: Democrat

Position you’re seeking: Board of Selectmen

Information about your family: wife Charlene, daughter Alison, son Ed

Occupation: VP, Sr Information Technology Consultant, Bank of America

Political Experience: Currently member of Inland Wetlands Commission and American Heritage River Commission

Other Experience: former member of Warehouse Point Fire Department, former soccer coach

Why did you run for office? I have been volunteering my time in various capacities for most of the 24 years I've lived here. I'm not running because I thought the present selectmen were doing such a bad job, but because I think my temperment and skill set will help me to be a effective member of the board.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus? Judging from all the Board of Selectman meetings I've attended over the past few years, much of our focus will be the budget, which we begin in December, and goes to referendum in May. Besides ensuring a responsible budget, one of the things I would like to focus on is town wide energy efficiency.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing East Windsor today? One of the most important issues we are looking at currently is the route 140 corridor. Development of an area such as this is an opportunity our town gets only once every 20 or 30 thirty years and it is extremely important we get it right.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community? Much of my career has been about improving and streamlining processes. I have extensive experience in managing and working as part of a team on complex projects at large organizations.

Anything else you would like to share? I have enjoyed getting out around town knocking on doors and talking to so many different people. I have been pleasantly surprised about how many people have wanted to express their opinions and thoughts on the current state of the town and what they think is important. I've definitely learned a few things along the way, and have had the opportunity to see things from other people's point of view, people that I would not get a chance to talk to just from hanging out at meetings.