Patch Candidate Profile: Raymond E Dunbar, Board of Selectmen

Education.

Branford high. Some college courses as well as supervisory and management college programs.

What is your occupation?

Retired police captain

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

My wife of 45 years Cindy, and two daughters

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Elected member of the RTM from 1997-2005 and again from 2017-2019. Board of Selectmen, 2019 to present.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

To continue serving the residence of the Town of Branford

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Being able to afford to pay taxes on retired, fixed incomes. I will continue to watch and question spending.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

What we consider to be quality of life issues. I believe that residence concerns should be dealt with in a timely manner and if changes are needed in statue ordinances to protect the quality of life for these residents, it should be addressed. I but I also agree that there needs to be compromise when dealing with these issues, and that only through open discussion can change be made, hopefully to satisfy both sides of an issue. Presently there seems to be too much of passing issues from town body to town body within with nothing really being solved.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I believe, failing or succeeding should be decided by the residents of the town.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I will continue to deal with the day-to-day issues that are brought up by constituents.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My years working for the Town police department, as well as my years serving as an elected official of the town.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Keep being yourself.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have been serving the Town of Branford for 45 plus years in some voluntary and/or paid position. I do have the knowledge of the inner workings of the town and can guide people in how the town operates. I have been both a user of town resources, and in many cases, the person voting to give resources to others. The years I have worked for the town, and volunteered, have given me a unique oversight of the town's operations, which helps me in my decision-making as a member of the Board of Selectmen.