2025 Patch Candidate Profiles: Marilee Beebe,​ Town Council, Tolland

TOLLAND, CT — Marilee Beebe is running for the town council in Tolland.

Candidate's Name:
Marilee Beebe

What office are you seeking?
Town Council

What town do you live in?
Tolland

Campaign Website
<>

Party Affiliation:
Democratic

Occupation:
Engineer / Construction Project Manager 30 Years

Family:
Partner Jim, a wonderful blended family with 5 adult kids and 8 grandkids!

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Yes - currently serving on Town Council and previously served for more than 25 years on the Board of Appeals and Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC), including several terms as chair of the PZC

Why are you seeking this office?
I have made Tolland my home for more than 40 years and have raised my children here. I’ve seen significant changes and challenges in our community and believe my experience and perspective can be useful to the community. I care very deeply about my community. Pulling together; helping each other, caring for each other and solving problems together through negotiation and compromise defines our democracy and makes us stronger. I am committed to this process.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
In my experience there is no single issue facing our constituents. Our townspeople are diverse and there are MANY issues facing them. I hear about cost of living, educational opportunities, worries for a sustainable future, being able to speak and live freely, and concern about availability of housing, to name a few.
I will help to address these issues by supporting responsible town budgets, by supporting regionalization of services where it is cost effective, and by supporting housing policies that both provide options for young people and allow our seniors to continue aging in place. This includes carefully managing the affordable housing trust fund, and sustainable expansion of senior citizen/ disabled citizen tax credits.
It is also absolutely critical to hold our state representatives accountable for making sure state funding is received, and to expect them to push back strenuously on the arbitrary and cruel federal defunding of special education that provides legally mandated services for our most vulnerable, while also funding education plans and assistance to make sure no child is left behind. Education is the absolute cornerstone of both opportunity and democracy. We simply do not have a healthy and thriving society without an educated public, whether the emphasis be on vocational or college preparatory curriculum.
Finally, as a town council member, I believe I have a responsibility to make sure that our town protects the rights of our citizens to a safe environment, equitable access and freedom of expression. I will vigorously protect our preserved lands, support ADA accessibility to our town green and defend the independence of our public libraries from censorship.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
It is heartbreaking to see my opponents using social media to
pit the townspeople against each other in budget discussions: old against young, students against seniors. In years past we did not behave this way. I routinely had collaborative discussions with candidates and office holders of different parties. Our community must value and depend on all citizens to move forward together.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Please
See my discussion of question #13.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I entered the construction industry in my early twenties and worked my way up in a challenging business, learning how to communicate, manage teams and collaborate in difficult environments.
In my previous public service, I was chosen, as a Democrat, to be chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission by the Republican majority. I believe this has provided me with the experience and insight to be effective.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Presume Goodwill

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I originally went to agricultural school, and raised beef cattle and sweet corn here in Tolland with my late husband. We once had a bull get loose and visit the Tolland Pizza plaza! Each summer we picked 1000 dozen ears of corn - by hand! I know how to work hard.