Patch Candidate Profile: Mary Isaac For Trumbull Town Council

TRUMBULL, 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:

Mary Isaac

What office are you seeking?

Town Council Representative, District 1

What town do you live in?

Trumbull

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:

Democrat

Occupation:

Active Volunteer

Family:

My immediate family members are Martin, my husband who is an angel investor and 8-year member of the Board of Finance, and 3 children, Jessica, Nicole and Daniel who were all raised in Trumbull and benefited from Trumbull's Public School system - as well as 3 dogs, Hamilton and Chloe and a new puppy, Luna.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Martin, my husband, who is an elected member of the Board of Finance.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

I have served 3 terms, 6 years, on the Town Council, District 1, which represents the Daniels Farm area of town.

Why are you seeking this office?

I seek re-election because I feel that I am doing the job as I was elected. I treat this council position as a full-time, paid job, driven by a volunteer heart. I bring six years of experience on the Town Council and Finance Committee, plus many years as a PTA President across all school levels. I have a deep, detailed understanding of our annual and capital budgets—the main drivers of how our town runs. I possess the work ethic and knowledge needed to keep Trumbull a desirable community for our youth, families, and seniors.

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

Not unexpectedly, as in most if not all communities, taxes are a pressing issue. Trumbull’s spending, however, has been less than the cost of inflation and importantly, we have a strong AA bond rating. As a Council member, during the budgetary process, I evaluate each line item, consistently question department heads on their proposals to learn and understand where we should prioritize and how to do so as cost-effectively as possible.

There is always a cost to live in a desirable town with a stellar school system, open space and parks which attract so many on a daily basis, recreational activities and facilities which create and foster a sense of community, fully funded public safety departments, road paving and road preservation, leaf pick up and all the many services and amenities provided by the town. I believe we have done a good job balancing the cost and benefiting from the outcome and am proud of the continued accomplishments which helped to rank Trumbull as the 7th hottest zip code in the US for 2025.

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

With my many years of public service involvement, I am very knowledgeable of the town departments and its finances and have a personality that pushes to get things done in an efficient and cost-effective manner. My years of working with the school system, serving as a member of TPAUD (Trumbull Parents Against Underage Drinking and Drugs) as well as serving as the Chairman of the Senior Commission prior to being elected to the Town Council gives me a unique perspective of the different needs and dynamics of our town residents.

I am always prepared, ask questions, research the subject and offer solutions or alternative ideas for discussion. I am committed and ensure every vote is an informed one.

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

I will continue to focus on all issues relating to our community, however two strategic initiatives facing our town which are extremely important are the proposed Senior/Community Center and the Trumbull Mall.

A new Senior/Community Center to replace our current 105-year-old facility which has reached its end of life, with insufficient parking is on the ballot to be voted upon by via referendum.

Our 55+ community deserves a modern, uplifting space for health, wellness, interaction, and dignified access to Social Services and the Food Pantry. We need a facility that meets our current needs and one that will also serve to entice more 55+ from the community to join and become involved and benefit from all that the Center offers.

I will continue to champion the proactive economic development for the Trumbull Mall. The town proactively engaged a consulting team to develop the comprehensive Trumbull Mall Area Market Feasibility and Land Use Study to provide recommendations on how to strengthen and reposition the mall and its surrounding areas for long-term success.

The study has shown a variety of ways to recreate the Mall into a vibrant, active hub of multi-use development, activities, dining and shopping. We must support the comprehensive plan to market the site to outside investors, stabilizing our largest taxpayer and generating the revenue needed to strengthen our town's grand list to shift the burden off the residential side and back to the commercial side.

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

As stated in the above responses, I view serving on the Council as though it is a job where one should be fully engaged and fully comprehend as much as possible as related to the town budget, infrastructure, economic development progress and opportunities and all aspects of our town government.

I have successfully served for the past 6 years on the Council where I have a proven record of knowing the issues, asking pertinent questions and respectfully representing my district.

There are many important decisions, such as the return of the Police Pension, which require research and background to make informed decisions and I always put the work in to ensure that I am qualified to vote confidently, knowledgeable of the facts.

If re-elected, I will continue to do my homework, monitor town meetings, advocate on important issues, discuss concerns with departments and share information to residents so they, too, can be informed and aware. I will continue to treat the town budget like I do my own and spend with oversight and intelligence.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The most important advice I've ever received, and a principle I strive to live by every day, is my Mother's simple mantra: "Always do the right thing." This core belief is why volunteering has always been such a passion for me. Making a difference in someone's life, regardless of whether the action is simple or difficult, is always worth the effort. It's not about standing out from the crowd or seeking recognition, but rather about the satisfaction of simply doing what needs to be done—and that feeling is a reward all its own, and hopefully a motivator to others to do so as well.

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

I’m fortunate to live in a town that has given our family so many opportunities and wonderful memories.

I actively seek opportunities to give back, not only by serving on the Council, but also by volunteering to fill the Food Pantry shelves, serving on the Trumbull Restaurant Week Committee, and helping with town-promoted activities like Trumbull Day. I believe blending this sense of community through events and services is profoundly meaningful.

Moving forward, I will continue to advocate for smart, prudent spending while continuing to support the expansion of ways to increase our commercial and small business revenue streams. I hope to earn your vote to continue representing residents in District 1.