2024 Patch Candidate Profiles: Brian Motola, State Rep

VERNON, CT — Brian Motola is running for a state representative seat in Connecticut's 56th district.

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Candidate’s Name: Brian Motola

What office are you seeking? State Representative, 56th District

District: 56th House District

Campaign website

What city or town do you live in? Vernon

Party affiliation: Republican

Education: B. A. History 1979 Franklin and Marshall College

Occupation: Senior Software Engineer, Travelers, 42 years

Family: Penny, wife, Kids Shannon, Anthony, Shawna, grandchildren, Samantha, Alexis, Nicole, AJ, and Amari.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

Member of the Vernon Town Council 1999-2003, 2005 to present Deputy Mayor 2021 to present

Age: 67

Why are you seeking this office?

I have volunteered with many non-profits in town, and on the Town Council to aide my fellow citizens. I have volunteered to serve my neighbors and friends as a member of the Board of Cornerstone and of the Strong Family Farm, as a member of the New England Civil War Museum, Vernon Community Emergency Response Team(CERT) and of the Knights of Columbus. I would like to expand my service to my Vernon friends and neighbors on the State government level. I want to put people over politics. Our elected officials seem tone-deaf to us citizens. They seem to have forgotten about governing and helping the citizens of our State, the people who elected them. It is all about politics and in-fighting, it is all about them and not us. We need new voices and new leaders in the State House. People over politics! I want to bring a new voice, a new vision to Hartford. Common sense and dignity to the legislature. I think it is time for a change in our State and let it start in the 56th district!

What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?

Affordability, affordability, affordability. My goal is to not make it any more expensive, by even 1 dollar, for you to live in Ct. The cost of living is way to expensive in Ct. We all have relatives and friends and neighbors to have "retired" out of state in the most part because of finances. We have all heard their stories about how life is cheaper outside of CT. I don't have all the answers, but I have some ideas. I will support almost anything to increase employment in our state which will bring in more income taxes, helping to balance the budget. I would like to work on the appropriations committee to examine the state budget with the same eye I have used on the Vernon budget to help keep state taxes down and perhaps lowered. I do know that I will have that in mind in all I do at the State Level.

There have been an alarming number of deaths on Connecticut's roadways. Is there anything from a legislative standpoint that can be done to address that?

We need to re-adjust our highway entrance/exit combinations. Too many of them are side by side. We can put all kind of "wrong way" markings and lighting etc on the exits, and that will help, but we need to move them away from each other to further decrease wrong way deaths. We need to have harsher penalties for what we might call "extreme" speeding on a roadway. Extreme being defined by consultation with public safety professionals. As an example, lets say we set that level at 90 MPH on an interstate. If you are caught exceeding that speed we introduce a harsh minimum penalty. I would consult with those public safety professionals and perhaps pyschological professionals as to what penalty would deter that behavior. We probably need more education in the schools as to the danger of excessive speed on our roadways.

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

I know I will be dedicated and concerned to the people of Vernon. I will continue to be involved in our community and seek out ways to help our citizens have a better life. I don't know much about my opponent. I do not see him involved as much as I am in our community.

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

Generally my involvement and love for Vernon in all aspects is why I do what I do. On the Town Council level I have, through the years, supported keeping our property taxes low. I was a big supporter of moving our Senior Center from a building that was limiting it's growth and services to a new building where the membership has grown exponentially and the services, events, etc. have increased making a better quality of life for our Seniors. I was a member of the Rockville High School Turf field committee bringing a better experience for our student athletes. I was a positive vote to expand our soccer fields. We needed those fields as our current fields are over-used. This makes for a better experience for all ages of soccer playing citizens. I have been a positive vote for our mill revitalization projects. Roosevelt Mill and Talcottville Mill are two projects which I supported renovating from those unused empty eyesores to useful tax revenue paying projects. Amerbelle is in the process, and when completed will further enhance our town. I was instrumental, with Steve Peterson, in creating a Dog Park in Vernon. Almost every time you drive by you will see someone and their pet using the park. It is a big win for Vernon. All of these make for a better quality of life for our citizens.

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

I will work for our citizens to make their life better. I will be responsive to their requests and problems. I want to hear from them here in Vernon, I won't just sit at a desk in Hartford and be distant from my friends and neighbors in Vernon.