Candidate Profile: Lauren Gauthier, Groton Town Council

GROTON, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Groton and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

Groton resident Lauren Gauthier tells Patch why she should be elected to Groton Town Council.

How old will you be as of Election Day?

27

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.grotonindependents...

Please give us your party affiliation.

Groton Independent

Education.

Master's Public Administration, B.A. Maritime Studies

What is your occupation?

Contract Analyst, Sr

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

David, husband, electrician. Sons, Henry and Theo.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

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

State Contracting Standards Board, member. 2020-present. RTM District 4, 2019-present, currently Chair of the Community Development & Services committee. Former member of the Groton Property Re-Use Committee.

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 bring accountability back to Groton. For too long, Groton has had to be embarrassed by poor leadership, partisanship, and questionable decision-making. I believe it's time to center citizens, and ensure our government is performing in a transparent manner answerable to the people.

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

Affordability. I intend to focus on how we can responsibly bring more economic development to Groton, in a way that is supported by the community. This will help reduce the tax burden on residents, provide economic opportunities in town, and overall support the financial health and diversity of Groton.

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

Myself and the other Groton Independents are all experienced community leaders disavowing partisanship to bring the residents back to the center of government decision-making. We are different in that we offer concrete solutions, and have proven track records of our commitment to our community and our ideals of transparency, accountability, fiscal responsibility, and environmental leadership.

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

The Groton Democrats have run the Town Council for 3 terms now. The budget has blossomed by over $10 Million while the Grand List has stagnated to near zero growth. The Democrats oversaw and defended the criminal developer of the Mystic Oral School and are continuing to fight against the community-led policy reforms that would prevent that from happening again. The current Democrat-led council has implemented meeting rules to stifle and silence community input and dissenting opinions from other councilors. The Democrats refused to implement a tax phase in after the property re-evaluation, which left many families hurting with a sudden tax hike. Frankly, and a bit blithely, they've done little besides rack up legal fees defending their failed leadership, to the tune of over $80k in 2023 alone.

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

The Groton Independents have 4 Main Pillars:
Accountability & Transparency; Fiscal Responsibility; Environmental Leadership; Community-Centered Policies.
In addition, we offer concrete solutions addressing these concerns and more, as we feel that they are the foundation of good government.
Solutions included in our platform include supporting community-advocated policies like improved property-reuse, light and noise ordinances, and a short term rental policy. Conducting performance audits on town programs to ensure we're getting the most bang for our buck. Increasing public engagement opportunities and improving communications with residents. Promoting community-supported development proposals. Engaging on a regional-level on environmental issues to address climate change, such as providing energy efficiency resources for residents, and collaborating with other communities on resiliency measures.

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

Developed with DEEP on regulations for CT lobstermen; wrote and advocated for an agricultural tax bill signed in to law in 2021; have led budget hearings as Chair of the Community Development & Services committee; investigated and issued a detailed report on improper contracting at State Pier; passed a Power of Initiative for an Unassigned Fund Balance Policy as a minority member in the RTM; participated in the Civilian Oversight Research Committee; can negotiate with both government customers and toddlers on a daily basis, successfully.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

There's no such thing as nervousness if you're prepared.

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

I'm eager to get to work for Groton. I always keep an open mind and I'm curious to learn from others. I believe that communities are built together, over time, and that there's no room for egos on a team.