Patch Candidate Profile: Holly Sullivan For Southbury Board of Selectmen

SOUTHBURY, 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:
Holly Sullivan

What office are you seeking?
Board of Selectmen

What town do you live in?
Southbury

Party Affiliation:
Republican

Occupation:
Human Resources with over 18 years in HR Management

Family:
Yes, I have an amazing 12 year old daughter who is a student in the Region 15 district. For more than ten years, I raised her as a single mom in Southbury. Last year, my husband Nick joined our family. Nick is an attorney who grew up in nearby Oxford but has been a resident of Southbury since before we met. We are all active in our community!

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I have been honored to have already served two terms as a Selectman. Prior to becoming a Selectman, I served on the Town of Southbury Human Resources Committee.

Why are you seeking this office?
In the past two terms as a Selectman, I have experienced the tremendous diligence required to make wise decisions that serve members of our community today and ensure we are setting our town up for future success. I am a believer in small government, low taxes and respect for individual property rights while balancing the needs of a growing community who want a vibrant lifestyle full of activity options, accessible amenities and an overall excellent quality of life- all which Southbury can accommodate with diligent planning and foresight. Southbury is moving in the right direction to provide all of these things and I enjoy being a part of that commitment to progress.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
I don’t believe there is one single issue that trumps all others. There are a few matters that are the most widely discussed: the future of the IBM property, the possible construction of a new elementary school and certainly what the Southbury Training School property will become in time. Having served in this role already for a number of years, it’s critically important to understand that the issue most pressing for a single resident is the one that impacts them most. For some, storm damage is still impacting their ability to return to normal life. For others, they may be focused on their taxes or cost of living. The key to doing the right thing in this role is hearing all of the various voices throughout the community, balancing their asks with one another and diligent planning for how we serve the greater needs of the residents of Southbury. I do believe the right individuals focused on thoughtful and serious planning, it can be accomplished.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Aside from First Selectman Jeff Manville, I am the longest serving Selectman candidate in this race. There is absolutely no substitute for experience in this role. When I was first elected, I never expected to learn quite so much about culverts, traffic signals or budgets but here we are! There are countless technical details that ensure that the Town of Southbury runs smoothly. Aside from that, though, there are also many human elements that must be balanced for the town to run smoothly as well. My background in Human Resource Management has been tremendously useful as a Selectman. I hold a master’s degree in human resources and have spent 18 years in a role that requires managing difficult conversations, setting expectations in no uncertain terms while also celebrating accomplishments when earned. I understand that the Town of Southbury is best served while balancing both human needs and business needs and bring that expertise to the table.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
For those of us currently serving on the Board of Selectmen, we need to continue to stay focused on the work ahead of us throughout this campaign season. We are very much committed to seeing through matters we have already been working on such as meeting the needs of our seniors, continuing improvements on town property and ensuring that the Town of Southbury is an employer of choice to our incredible town staff that do so much.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
Having already served two terms in this role, I am confident that in my third term I will continue to build on the progress we have made. Having served on this board through unprecedented events including the last years of COVID and the flood of 2024, I understand what is needed from me and will continue to serve my community. We have balanced our budgets, kept taxes low and increased town offerings. I strongly believe that Southbury has been on the right track under the leadership of First Selectman Jeff Manville and look forward to continuing our work ahead.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
The quote I take most to heart is ""Either write things worth reading, Or do things worth the writing." Benjamin Franklin 1738

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
Decisions we make today can have lasting effects for generations of Southburians to come. I moved to Southbury before my daughter was born more than a decade ago. Having lived in other cities ranging from New Orleans to Brooklyn to Poughkeepsie and a few stops in between, I frequently remind my daughter how blessed we are to call Southbury home. We must be prepared for growth but plan for it in a way that honors the legacy that brought us to Southbury in the first place.