2025 Patch Profile: Heather Goetz, Simsbury First Selectman

SIMSBURY, CT — Simsbury Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Heather Goetz is running for Simsbury First Selectman as a Republican.

She is going against incumbent Democratic First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis and Independent and former Democratic First Selectman Eric Wellman.

The following is Heather Goetz's questionnaire sent to Patch:

Candidate's Name: Heather Goetz

What office are you seeking? First Selectman

What town do you live in? Simsbury

Campaign Website: https://goetzforsimsbury.com

Party affiliation: Republican

Occupation: Community volunteer

Family: I have been married to my husband, Charlie, for 20 years. I have three children: Macie, 18, Ayla, 17, and Greyson, 15. All three have, or are going through, the Simsbury Public School system.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

Yes, I am currently serving my fourth year on the Board of Selectmen. I also chair the Historic District Commission, a board I have sat on for eight years. I served 2019-2021 on the Simsbury Public Library Board, where I was also co-chair of their five-year strategic plan.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running for First Selectman because I believe we are at a crossroads and need a long-term strategic plan for Simsbury.

Too often, decisions have been made in silos, without a clear roadmap, which has contributed to rising taxes and missed opportunities.

I want to bring a vision for the future that is thoughtful, strategic, and inclusive, so that every choice we make builds toward a stronger, more sustainable town.

I believe government should be run with pragmatism, principles, and values — listening carefully to residents, prioritizing the greater good, and ensuring that our community moves forward together in the same direction with a shared purpose.

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

My intention is to outline a long-term strategic plan that takes into consideration all of the moving parts that make up Simsbury, and that includes economic development, our town-owned assets, public safety, housing, parks and open space, schools and athletic fields, and our roads and infrastructure.

This plan will allow us to best invest in Simsbury's future in the most thoughtful and strategic way so that we are able to provide desirable services to our residents, maintain our character, grow our grand list, and get taxes under control.

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

I am the only candidate calling for a long-term strategic vision for Simsbury — a comprehensive plan that addresses today’s challenges and positions our town for future generations.

The office of First Selectman has been occupied for the past eight years by my opponents, and in that time we have spent significant tax payer dollars on various plans, including a Plan on Conservation and Development, a downtown charette, a Parks and Open Space Master Plan, A School Facilities Master Plan, a Pedestrian and Bike Master Plan, and a Housing Policy Report.

While there are good ideas in each of them, none of them tie them all together, resulting in a dependency on short-term fixes, pet project promotions, and continued spending.

I am committed to setting goals we can aspire to, with benchmarks that guide smart, sustainable decisions.

I also bring a collaborative, transparent style of leadership — I will listen, engage, and make residents, not politics, the center of decision-making.

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

My campaign is predicated upon cohesive and comprehensive planning. It is my intention to avoid piecemeal solutions.

That said, I think some of the areas that are more pressing and will have an outsized impact on a long-term plan are taxation, economic growth, thoughtful housing, education, and our seniors.

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

I know Simsbury deeply and from many angles. I have served as PTO President of Tariffville School, VP of HJMS PTO, and Secretary of SHS PTO.

I am an active Rotarian, a member of the McLean Auxiliary, the Simsbury Celebrates Committee, and the SHS DECA Advisory Board.

At the town level, I have served on the Simsbury Public Library Board, co-chairing their strategic plan, and at this time, I chair the Historic District Commission.

I currently serve on the BoS, where I am the only selectman appointed to all of our subcommittees - Personnel, Finance, Retirement Plans, and Chair of Public Safety.

Prior to moving to Simsbury, I earned a graduate degree as a PA-C from Cornell Medical College and my BA from Boston College.

I spent six years in the financial capital markets, most notably at Goldman Sachs.

That said, my most satisfying achievement has been raising my three children. They are all currently teenagers, and I am being battle-hardened daily.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

“Listen more than you speak.” This advice has guided me throughout my public service and professional life. Truly listening — to residents, to colleagues, to experts — allows for better understanding and better decisions. It’s the foundation of trust and effective leadership. That said, anyone who has ever had a coffee with me knows that I can certainly talk.

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

I truly love Simsbury, but I think that is true of all the candidates. In this election, what makes me unique is that I am the candidate of positive change versus the status quo.