Patch Candidate Profile: Jim Landy For Newtown Board of Finance

NEWTOWN, 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:
Jim Landy

What office are you seeking?
Board of Finance

What town do you live in?
Newtown

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:
Republican

Occupation:
Certified Fraud Examiner, 30+ years experience as a Compliance Examiner

Family:
I have a wonderful wife, Bridget, and son, Liam. We made Newtown our home for years, raising our son Liam here among neighbors who feel more like family. We love Newtown - the trails, the community events, the sense of belonging you feel when you walk down Main Street. Newtown isn’t just where we live—it’s where we’ve built our life together, where our son is growing up surrounded by good people, great friends, laughter, and that small-town feel with big heart.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
None

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I have been a Board Member of the Fairfield Hills Authority for 5 and a half years. I am proud to help guide the thoughtful use and revitalization of one of Newtown’s most important community assets. I have voted for proposals that balance recreation, economic opportunity, and preservation of the campus’s unique character. I’ve reviewed business opportunities for the campus, ensuring that any potential development aligns with the town’s long-term vision, community values, and financial responsibility. Its all about Dollars and use of Common Sense!

I authored the proposal to keep pickleball courts on the Fairfield Hills campus—an initiative that encouraged active, intergenerational recreation and helped make the property a more vibrant space for residents.

Serving on the FHA has deepened my appreciation for Newtown’s collaborative spirit and reinforced my commitment to finding balanced, practical solutions that serve both today’s residents and future generations.

Why are you seeking this office?
I’m running for the Newtown Board of Finance because I care deeply about this town—its people, its character, and its future. Newtown is a special place, and I want to help guide it toward continued success through efficient, effective, and responsible financial management.

With my background in compliance and financial oversight, I believe in applying common sense to how we spend every taxpayer dollar. Smart spending doesn’t mean cutting corners—it means making sure our priorities are aligned with what truly benefits the community. My goal is to help Newtown grow in a fiscally responsible way, maintaining the charm and quality of life that make this town such a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

I want to help Newtown’s families, seniors, retirees, veterans, and small businesses thrive—by making sure every dollar is spent with purpose, compassion, and good old-fashioned common sense.
I’m committed to ensuring that Newtown’s financial decisions reflect both long-term sustainability and immediate community needs—so we can continue to build a strong, efficient, and vibrant town for generations to come.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is affordability — ensuring Newtown remains a place where families can thrive, seniors can stay, and small businesses can grow. Rising costs affect every household, and I intend to bring a steady, practical approach to spending — focusing on efficiency, accountability, and long-term value for our taxpayers. By prioritizing smart investments and reducing waste, we can keep Newtown fiscally strong while protecting the quality of life that makes our town so special.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
The major difference between me and the other candidates is my focus on practical, common-sense financial oversight backed by decades of experience in compliance and financial regulation. For years, I’ve worked to ensure accountability, transparency, and efficiency in complex organizations. I have honed my skills reviewing multi-million dollar transactions for fraud, conducted investigations that have uncovered millions of funds that went back to the injured parties. I am eager to put these skills to work for Newtown.

I’m not running to play politics; I’m running to serve. I approach every dollar as if it came from my own family’s wallet, and I want to make sure Newtown’s spending reflects both fiscal responsibility and community values. My long background in compliance has taught me how to identify risks, improve processes, and find smart, fair solutions—qualities that will help our town spend wisely while supporting our families, seniors, veterans, and small businesses.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I value everyone’s efforts in Newtown; our teachers, police, fire, and first responders who build and protect our town every day, and the small businesses that give our town its heart. I’ll work to promote responsible growth that supports families, veterans, and local employers while preserving Newtown’s small-town charm for future generations. This is done through fiscal responsibility, ensuring as needed spending is done efficiently and effectively. It's about Dollars and (Common) Sense!

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
During my time on the Fairfield Hills Authority Board, I’ve consistently voted for fiscally responsible decisions that protect Newtown taxpayers while supporting smart, sustainable growth. I take pride in doing my homework—digging into the details and making sure every proposal makes financial sense.

For example, I researched the state tax records of a local charity involved in a proposed Fairfield Hills investment and uncovered that there were insufficient funds to sustain the project. Without proper oversight, that shortfall could have been pushed onto Newtown’s taxpayers. By identifying the issue early, I helped prevent unnecessary financial risk to our community.

My background in compliance and financial oversight has prepared me to approach every decision with accountability, thoroughness, and a strong sense of duty to the residents of Newtown.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Listen twice as much as you speak; that is why you have two ears and one mouth. This has helped guide my work by reminding me to keep my ears and eyes open so as to not miss the details, perspectives, and truths that others might overlook. Listening closely helps me understand the real needs of the community before acting—because good decisions start with paying attention!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
At the end of the day, I’m just a neighbor who loves this town. I want to see Newtown grow wisely—keeping it strong, welcoming, and full of heart. I’ll listen more than I speak, make decisions with care, and always remember that it’s the people, not the politics, that make this place special. My goal is simple: to help Newtown flourish while keeping the small-town warmth that makes it home for all of us.