Patch Candidate Profile: Sandra A. Woodhouse, East Haven Town Council

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.

Republican Sandra A. (Swierad) Woodhouse, 63, of East Haven is seeking election to the Town Council, District 1.

Education.

AS Degree in business administration with an emphasis on insurance management

What is your occupation?

Insurance Agent since 1979. In 1991, I started Swierad Ins Assoc LLC, which I own and operate as an independent insurance agent. I specialize in Commercial Property and Casualty insurance. I am affiliated with
L. H. Brenner agency in New Haven.

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

I am the proud mother of two children, Margaret Ann Woodhouse who is 31 years old and currently resides in Orange, California. My son, Christopher T. Woodhouse, who is 29 years old and currently resides in Killingworth Connecticut with his lovely wife Kristin Woodhouse.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Currently, I do not have any family working for the government

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

I am a justice of the peace, and ordained minister and a Notary Public. I have been a member of the Republican town committee for just under two years.

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?

I feel as a lifelong member of the town that it is the right time for me to get involved to help make change in my town for the good of all the residence. You can’t make change if you don’t get involved!!

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

East haven needs to maintain their costs so residents do not feel the need to move from our town due to increases in taxes, etc. I feel in this economy the people in East Haven do not need to burden any additional costs at this time for living in our town. I will get involved to help maintain that homes & vehicles are valued a fair value. This way taxes can be calculated properly.

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

Having been an insurance agent who deals with businesses in all genres of the business world I feel that I know the needs of various people from the mom and pops to the large corporations. I would like to see everyone treated fairly. I’ve been in this business for almost 45 years I have a solid business background and feel that can only contribute to assisting our constituents and our town.

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

I feel that we need different points of view and currently the town Council is represented mainly by democrats, and I feel that we need to add some diversity to the town Council. I have viewed many meetings either via zoom or when they are televised and I don’t see a lot of discussion going on, so I think I need to delve into the town issues a little deeper.

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

One thing that I would really like to address is the blight in the town I drive down my street and I see homes that look like they need to be torn down and rebuilt! I believe that property owners can be maintaining their homes at a higher standard. And if they are not, they should be required to buy the town. I drive by places and I take pictures and it amazes me how disgusting people can live, and I want to see this rectified.

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

I have been a member of the international insurance professionals association since 1981 where I have held many positions such as local president for the New Haven association of insurance professionals. In 2019 I was named Insurance Agent of the year! I am currently serving a second term as Connecticut Council, Director. I have been involved with the professional insurance association, the independent insurance agents association. I was very involved with a New Haven Chamber of Commerce, where I went through their leader ship program. I have taught various insurance classes I have dealt with the zoning board with regard to multiple new residential building projects. I was involved with the East Haven school system with regard to both my children as they were involved in sports, music, and various other activities were parents were kept involved. I worked with them more directly while my son was playing With regard to multiple new residential building projects. I was involved with the East Haven school system with regard to both my children as they were involved in sports, music, and various other activities where parents were kept involved. I worked with them Momauguin Recreation Little League, league while my son was playing ball there.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Be honest, true to yourself, and always go with your gut!

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

My family and I have a long history in East Haven. At one time we owned Kempter‘s Dairy farm, and my aunt Connie Kempter, owned the farm on Laurel Street. She sold fresh vegetables too many of the local residence and was very charitable to those in need. The dairy farm was there through the depression and helped many East Haven residence through the depression by not charging them for their milk and eggs, so that they could get by. The dairy farm was located in High Ridge where One World Roasters Cafe it’s located. My great grandparents lived in that house. Anthony Kempter. My parents and entire family have been members of this community since the early 1900s. My uncle Louis a Kempter was a longtime member of the East Haven historical society and may have held other positions in the town that I am not sure of.