Getting to Know First Selectman Candidate Dan Hunsberger

Dan Hunsberger and his wife, Karin Wynkoop, got married and moved into a large colonial in Monroe 15 years ago. Hunsberger, an attorney who has served on the Board of Finance and the Inland Wetlands Commission in town, plans on challenging incumbent First Selectman Steve Vavrek this November.

Running as a Democrat in a town that routinely votes for Republican majorities on every board and commission is no easy task.

"I think the public, in the past, has put in Democrats as selectman, so I don't think they'll have a problem voting for another Democrat," Hunsberger said during an interview around his dining room table Monday. "Even though I'm a Democrat, I think there are Republicans with good ideas."

Hunsberger said he wants Monroe to develop a decision making process for what's good for the town, not what's good for the first selectman, his friends or any political party.

Since Ken Heitzke, a Republican, became Monroe's first selectman after the town changed from a manager form of government, there had been a run of Democrats, including Karen Burnaska, Andrew Nunn and the late Thomas Buzi. Vavrek won the seat back for the GOP two elections ago.

Hunsberger, who currently serves on the Inland Wetlands Commission, had been on a capital projects committee for Buzi.

Family, Negotiations, Arbitration ...

When asked his age, Hunsberger smiled and said he's over 60. He has a daughter, who is a sergeant with New York State Correctional, and a son, who is a deputy sheriff in Putnam County, NY.

From Wynkoop, Hunsberger has a step-son, who owns a heating and air conditioning business in Stamford, and a step-daughter in Monroe. Together they have four grandchildren.

When Hunsberger announced his intention to run for first selectman, some commenters on Patch said they wanted to know more about him and one expressed a belief that, because Hunsberger is a labor attorney, it means he would give unions whatever they want.

"Every contract I negotiated to a settlement was agreed to by both sides," Hunsberger said.

When a stalemate went to arbitration, he said he never won them all.

Aside from representing public employees, Hunsberger said he also has clients from private companies.

Fighting Fires

Hunsberger grew up in New Jersey and became a volunteer firefighter, joining a ladder company in Ossining, NY, when he was older. 

"And I was a member of the volunteer ambulance during my college days," Hunsberger recalled.

He graduated from the University of Bridgeport, going to night school while raising a family. Then Hunsberger earned his law degree from the Quinnapiac University School of Law — finishing with the first graduating class from Hamden.

After he had moved to Connecticut, Hunsberger said he was a volunteer firefighter in Darien, moving up to the rank of lieutenant on the rescue. Then he became a paid firefighter in Stamford, where he still serves.

Less than 10 years into being a Stamford firefighter, Hunsberger rose to the rank of captain. His responsibilities have included, 911 superviser, public information officer, fire and EMS supervisor, and he had been the Emergency Management director.

Over the past few years, Hunsberger has been on the committee for St. Vincent's Swim Across the Sound's Sports Gala & Auction, which benefits Connecticut police, fire, correction officers and EMS personnel and their families battling cancer.

When he's not working and volunteering, Hunsberger likes being out on the water in his used Silverton. He is the judge advocate of the Miamogue Yacht Club in Bridgeport.

'Time for a Change'

As first selectman, Hunsberger said he would an open government, advocate for sensible development for a stronger tax base that relies less on residential property tax, and provide support for good schools.

The treasurer for Hunsberger's campaign is Kenny Wielk, a Stepney Volunteer firefighter.

"It's time for a change," said Wielk. "It's time to breathe new life into town. I'm optimistic that if he wins, things will be better."

Hunsberger said, "My concept is to leave the town as a better place to be than when I started."