Patch Candidate Profile: Hilary Ormond For New Canaan Town Council

NEW CANAAN, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name:

Hilary Ormond

What office are you seeking?

I am running for re-election to the New Canaan Town Council.

What town do you live in?

New Canaan, Connecticut

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:

Democrat

Occupation:

I am currently a stay-at-home parent. After college, I worked as a buyer at a major department store for several years before attending graduate school and then law school. I practiced law in New York City for six years, including a year as a federal appellate court clerk.

Family:

I am married with two children ages 12 and 9. We also have two dogs, a horse, and a fish. My children are lobbying for more pets but I know my limits!

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

I am currently on the New Canaan Town Council.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking re-election to New Canaan's Town Council because I believe all politics are local, and what we do here impacts the daily lives of all residents. The people making those decisions should be thoughtful, well-prepared, and forward thinking--all things I bring to the table.

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

The most pressing issue facing New Canaan residents is keeping our taxes steady or low while also providing the highest level of services and activities that our community wants, needs and expects. Whether it's affordable housing, our schools, childcare, social services, or our beautiful parks, we are facing some big ticket items that will need thorough and efficient vetting. As with all projects, New Canaan's governing bodies will have to weigh all alternatives and decide what is best for our town, considering among other things infrastructure constraints, limited land availability, and a growing multi-generational population. We need to address affordable housing, particularly for senior citizens; I intend to continue working on the Affordable Housing Committee and with our state legislators to make that a reality (and get us proper credit under state law for providing it). We need to at least renovate our existing elementary schools, but do we also need a fourth one? Are there other options? I intend to continue having an open dialogue with the Board of Education and school administration to determine the optimal way forward. We need to maintain all of the programs that make New Canaan great, such as our Parks & Recreation programs. How do we best do that? Among other things, I intend to continue my support of the public-private partnerships that help these programs thrive.

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

Both my experience serving on the Town Council and being a parent of school-aged children gives me a unique perspective into the day-to-day experience of New Canaanites. I always tell my children that they are having a very different childhood than I did, having grown up in a small town in Virginia as the daughter of a military officer. I never take the privileges we have here in New Canaan for granted, and I want to protect them as much as possible for all of our residents.

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

Mental health is an important issue for me. New Canaan has been a leader in de-stigmatizing and providing, to the extent possible, mental health care for its residents in large part due to our partnership with Silver Hill Hospital. But there is still work to do. Students in particular report a high level of stress from academic and social pressures, which is likely exacerbated by lives lived online. Parents are suffering under a weight of being the "sandwich generation," having responsibility for both children and aging parents. Senior citizens face a multitude of stressors, from medical and housing needs to loneliness. I want to continue partnering as a town with the many resources available to ensure they are widely available to whoever needs them.

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

I am proud to have served the last four years on a very productive Town Council. Among other things, we have approved a location for and completed construction of a much-needed new police station; opened a new world-class library; re-opened the Playhouse movie theater; and navigated a post-pandemic world, distributing ARPA funds to various non-profits and endeavors that were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Town Council By-laws & Ordinances Committee, on which I serve as co-chair, drafted and passed a number of governing documents, including: (1) an ordinance clarifying Town Council's role in buying, selling and leasing real property; (2) an ordinance establishing the Affordable Housing Committee; (3) an ordinance re-constituting the Utilities Commission; and (4) revised the Town Council by-laws. We are also considering an ordinance restricting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, which I took the lead in drafting. Being a member of the minority party requires one to work in a bipartisan manner if you want to get anything done, and I do. My record in rolling up my sleeves, focusing on issues that matter in our community, and doing the work speaks for itself.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The federal judge for whom I clerked once told me, "never take criticism from anyone from whom you would not take advice." He had other gems, but that one has stuck with me.

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

Local elections are so incredibly important, and I take this responsibility very seriously. The people you elect in municipal elections make decisions that impact your day-to-day quality of life and what is often your biggest investment - your home. I currently have no aspirations beyond serving New Canaan on a local level because I truly believe in putting your mouth, money and effort where your house is.