John
held the position of First Selectman since the beginning of the Sentinel
Party in 1995 to 2003 and now serves on the
Board of Selectmen. Prior to 1995, John was Chairman of the Board of
Finance and the Economic Development Commission as well as serving on a
number of other commissions.
John’s education includes a BS
in Computer Engineering and a Masters in Business
Administration. He has
also attended courses for road building, drainage, management of public
works departments, labor and personnel law. He served his country as an Officer in the U.S.
Air Force. He formerly served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Access Agency
(a Regional Community Action Agency) and
the Municipal Interlocal Risk Management Agency and as a member of
the board for Johnson Memorial Hospital and other
Businesses.
He has worked with municipal finance
since 1991 through both the Board of Finance and
Board of Selectmen. His
education includes an emphasis
in accounting as part of the Business
Administration degree. His
financial experience includes fifteen years
of being in family-run businesses, where my duties
have always included handling the financial aspects
of the business.
Why you should vote for John in his own words:
"I was a member of the
Board of Finance from 1991 – 1995, I served as
Chairman for two years. In the late 1990s, I was
part of the team that conceived of and setup the
Town’s consolidated financial office that we use
today. I helped train the Town’s first Accounting
Supervisor and I am familiar with the municipal
finance rules and requirements. I have led or been
involved in union negotiations for both the Town
and Board of Education. I am familiar with most of
the operations of the various agencies and
departments receiving town tax dollars. I also
chaired the Capital Improvement Planning Committee
which does the long-term planning for the
construction of and the payment for capital
projects.
My financial philosophy is to know where
the money is being spent, spend it conservatively,
minimize debt, invest in the Town when needed
and fund commitments made. Like most people, I
do not enjoy paying taxes but I understand
it is a necessary burden. I believe that taking
the easy road by not funding future
obligations such as maintenance, pension
obligations, and contractual agreements is short
sighted and expensive – the issues do not go away
and the costs grow larger. My philosophy requires
that officials constantly evaluate how government
operates. Government spending does not happen in a
vacuum. Board members must balance the Town’s
obligations, needs, and desires, with the
Townspeople’s ability to pay.
Government and the people that run it need
to be accountable for the money they spend. When
large projects are proposed, it is up to
the governing officials to evaluate alternatives
so that people have confidence the most
cost-effective path is chosen. The Board of
Finance is the fiscal watchdog of the Town and it
is up to the members to demand
accountability from our elected officials and
professional staff. The Board members must be
knowledgeable of proper procedures and insist on
them being followed. Board members must
have the courage to challenge officials when
shortcuts are taken or errors are made.
Board members must also be willing to spend
the time necessary to understand the financial
requests that are being made. They must review and
understand the monthly and annual financial
information which is produced by the Town staff.
They need to work with the Town auditors to ensure
that our financial books are correct and act upon
their recommendations when presented with the
annual audit.
They need to do all of this so they can make
an informed, well-reasoned decision. The Board of
Finance’s decisions are far reaching and decisions
must be reached with deliberation and respect for the
proper functioning of the Town and the ability of the
taxpayer to pay, for today and the future."
