Patch Candidate Profile: Beth Purcell, East Haven Board of Finance

EAST HAVEN, CT —The 2023 municipal election is heating up in East Haven and there are plenty of local races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

East Haven Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Incumbent Republican Beth Purcell, 58, seeks reelection to the East Haven Board of Finance.

Education.

A.S. Degree--Executive Assistant, B.S. Degree -- General Management, MBA Business

What is your occupation?

Director of Finance and Administration

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

Son, Nick 28

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

no

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

Incumbent on Bd of Finance, serving my 6th term

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 to help oversee and question town spending and assure fiscal responsibility for fellow taxpayers of East Haven

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

Increasing taxes. I intend to question expenses and be sure spending is made in the best interest of the taxpayers. Residents cannot afford increasing taxes year after year.

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

I have over 30 years experience managing and balancing corporate budgets; I strive to do what is right for the town and not was is politically expected.

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

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

Appropriate spending for all depts, appropriate staffing of qualified personnel, fiscal responsibility of town officials.

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

I am serving my 6th term of the BOF; I have voted no even when I felt issues were not in the best interest of the town; I have continue to question expenses to gain more info to make an informed decision.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Do your homework. You cannot always believe what people are telling you.

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

I managed budgets in excess of $300M at Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceutical, where I worked for 19 years; I currently work at Yale University, managing budgets of approx. $50M where I've been employed for 15 years.