Patch Candidate Profile: Lewis Finkel For Stamford Board Of Representatives

STAMFORD, 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 the city.

Candidate's Name:
Lewis Finkel

What office are you seeking?
Board of Representatives – District 17

What town do you live in?
Stamford

Campaign Website
https://lewis7317.wixsite.com/...

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
Construction Estimator

Family:
Married – three grown children who went through the Stamford Public School System

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I was co-chair of the communications subcommittee for the Stamford 2020 Census

Why are you seeking this office?
I am seeking the office to serve my community. With my 60 years of experience in construction, associations, not for profits, etc. I will bring a lot to the table. I have been a volunteer my entire adult life and my skillset will allow me to be a positive force on the Board of Representatives.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
There are a number of issues, but one that can be addressed as a member of the Board of Representatives is the city’s infrastructure. As a construction professional I am uniquely qualified to determine what needs to be done to “fix” the roads and sidewalks in the city. Some of these areas are accidents waiting to happen an example being the sidewalks on Hope Street – all the tripping hazards by the tree wells that do not have trees. With the assistance of the people in my district, I would compile a survey of the most flagrant areas and with the cooperation of the Operations Department address those areas.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
What differentiates me is:
• Life Experience
• As a senior citizen I have had the honor of holding a number of leadership positions, both in construction and as a volunteer.
• While on the National Board of Directors of Alpha Phi Omega, the National Service Fraternity one statement has stayed with me all these years –“Service is the price you pay for the space you occupy”
• As president of my condominium for the past 19 years I have guided the finances from near bankruptcy with a lot of deferred maintenance to no deferred maintenance and a very healthy reserve account for capital projects and emergencies. The condominium has a long-range capital plan that will keep the reserve account healthy for at least twenty years.
• I have been Chairman of Disaster services for the American Red cross Westchester County Chapter where I assisted residents who had been affected by a fire to being dispatched to national disaster sites in New Jersey and upstate New York.
• I have been National President of two professional associations – The American Society of Professional Estimators and the Consulting Estimators Roundtable.
• I have had my own business since 1989 providing construction estimates for municipalities, architects, engineers and facility departments in Connecticut and around the country.
• I am on the Board of Directors of the Construction Institute and The Stamford League of Women Voters.
• I am an educator – I taught construction estimating at Norwalk Community College and Hartford State Technical College for over 10 years and at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) for 11 years.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Some of the other issues I am concerned about
• The city and the Board of Education Budget – They need to be right sized for both the community and the education of the children.
• Development – there needs to be reasonable development – not over development and not no development. The development must fit the neighborhood.
• Housing – We are short on work force housing that Stamford teachers, police officers, firemen, service workers can afford.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
Some of my past accomplishments are:
• I have been in positions of leadership in both my professional and volunteer capacities, which has taught me to be a good listener and to follow up on the issues.
• I am detail oriented as a professional construction estimator.
• The American Society of Professional Estimators has awarded me Estimator of the Year.
• As an educator I was a runner up for Teacher of the year at CCSU.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Be true to yourself. Do not be a phony.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
• I listen to people’s concerns and respond to them. I communicate.
• I have been in charge of national professional organizations.
• I have been an educator.
• I have been in construction for over 50 years and have run projects, been in charge of purchasing and estimated construction projects that range from thousands of dollars through hundreds of millions of dollars.
• I am detail oriented and very focused on results.
• As President of my condominium for many years I am keenly aware of the needs of condominium owners and homeowners.