Patch Candidate Profile: Michael Carrington For Southbury Board of Finance

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:
Michael Carrington

What office are you seeking?
Board of Finance

What town do you live in?
Southbury

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
Attorney

Family:
I have an amazing wife (Emily) and two daughters aged 9 and 7

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I'm the Chair of the Southbury Democratic Town Committee. I have previously served on the Southbury Economic Development Commission, the Southbury Strategic Planning Commission, the Lake Lillinonah Authority and the Southbury Charter Revision Commission. I am also a Justice of the Peace.

Why are you seeking this office?
I believe Southbury requires fresh ideas all around, and particularly on the Board of Finance. We have too much stagnation and too much of "this is the way we've always done things." I think there's also been a lack of transparency from town leaders and a distinct lack of long-term, strategic planning for what the town might look like 10, 20 or even 30 years down the road.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Property taxes keep going up and services keep getting cut. In Southbury, residential taxes hits our senior communities especially hard since so many of them are living on fixed incomes. Obviously some of the problem is bigger than Southbury - we've had global inflation and property valuations went up significantly during the last revaluation cycle. Yet there are things we can do as town leaders to address the concerns.

First, we can focus on increasing the commercial grand list to relieve some of the burdens on residents. Second, we can develop a comprehensive grant-writing policy (and hopefully a full-time grant writer). Third, we can consider improving our regional and state partnerships to keep the municipal budgets down. Fourth, we can think strategically about distinguishing from wants and needs.

I'd also support a Task Force to reexamine our existing state and local tax abatement programs for certain groups (seniors, veterans, etc.) to review how they are working and how they might be improved.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I'm an attorney by trade, and I think if elected I'd be the only attorney on the Board of Finance and that can bring a somewhat different skillset to the table than the usual finance folks. I'm trained to read carefully and manage risks, thinking though the long-term applications of each sentence. I can certainly review balance sheets and digest voluminous financial information, but I think we can probably all do that. I hope I'd be especially valuable on insurance matters and compliance issues. Finally, I think my biggest strength might be my experience in bringing creative approaches to town affairs.

I'd be remiss without mentioning that I'm a Democrat and while that in and of itself is certainly not a qualification, it does bring a different mindset from the Republican majority on our Board of Finance. Look, we all have our views and values, and they undoubtedly influence our approaches. I'd just state that it's great when you can have bipartisanship and representation from all types of people and all types of political angles. I'd also note that my relationships with other town leaders and with state / federal officials helps me understand the importance of forging partnerships rather than Southbury going it alone.

I'm also a small business owner, homeowner, dad, etc. - I'm sure I share that with other members of the Board of Finance but hey, every experience matters.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I've been happy to chat about all kinds of issues facing Southbury, but the Board of Finance is the office I'm running for so I'm trying to stay focused on those matters. I suppose I'd like for the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen to work more closely together because sometimes it seems like there's a disconnect. We may need to have a more regular liaison between the two boards.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
As an attorney, I've successfully tried and won a number of cases over the years, settled hundreds more. In terms of Southbury town affairs, I believe I've served professionally on the various commissions I've been part of. While I've never served on the Board of Finance, I'm familiar with the Southbury budget process and have watched Board of Finance meetings for several years.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
My wife often reminds me that you can't make everyone happy in politics (and probably life too!) but that you can disagree without being disagreeable. While there's value in making your points and advocating for what you believe in, other people are just as good and just as passionate as you are. We just don't always see eye to eye and that's okay. Eventually you have to call the vote and whatever's going to happen is going to happen. Tomorrow's another day.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I think our town needs champions and while we obviously want to respect our past, we have to be focused on the future. I've lived here since 2016 and I intend to be here for at least another few decades (maybe living in Heritage Village by then!). I'm keen to take a look at what we're doing and where we can improve.

With all due respect to our Board of Finance, many of them have been serving for decades now and I'm worried they're caught in the cycle of "well this is the way things have always been done." While it could be that's still the best way, you don't know what you don't know and we have to be willing to have honest conversations and not be afraid of fresh ideas.

I believe I'm among the best candidates running for Board of Finance and I'd be honored to earn your votes this November.