Candidate profiles - North Canaan

Board of Selectmen

Nicole “Nikki” Blass, Independent

Office being sought: Selectman

Age: 37

Number of years in town: 37

Profession: Database coordinator at The Hotchkiss School; Realtor with Raynard and Peirce Real Estate Co.

 Up to five boards and/or commissions served on (and in what capacity) in the past five years: North Canaan Elementary School PTO, president; North Canaan Cub Scouts Pack 22, Cub Master

If elected, what would you change and what would you keep the same?  (Response limited to 300 words.) I’d like to see more available for the children, families and elderly within our community. I feel that our children and families are missing out and need more activities and facilities available to them. Children are our future, they are key to helping the town of North Canaan survive and succeed.

Downtown is empty. I recall as a kid we used to be busy with people. With the exception of a few businesses, our town seems empty. Where did everyone go? I’d like to see storefronts thriving with new businesses, instead of just empty space; to see current businesses being able to remain open during these tough economy times, instead of having to close their doors. Take a look at Great Barrington and Millerton; they are now full of townspeople, consumers and tourists. It took time to get there. With some work, we could strive to be a town that people want to come back to and one that people want to remain living in.

I’d love to see a rail trail here in town. I truly believe more and more towns are putting these in not only for the health and wellness of their community, but to provide activity for their community and to attract people to our town. Right now where can we ride, walk or run? I’d like to continue to see the beautification done within our town. I’d like real estate values to increase and be able to market North Canaan as a place where one might desire to live — maybe for the safety we provide, the community support we give and the great school system we make our priority — preparing our youth for what comes next. Let’s not forget our seniors, we need to strive and keep North Canaan a truly senior-friendly (affordable) community.

Susan J. Clayton, Democrat

Office being sought: Board of Selectmen

Age: 58

Number of years in town: Native who left in the early 1970s to pursue higher education and life experiences returned to settle down in late 1977

Profession: Underwriter

Up to five boards and/or commissions served on (and in what capacity) in the past five years: Board of Selectmen (three terms), Democratic Town Committee, Northwest Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Corporation (three years), Canaan Chamber of Commerce’s Pat Pallone Scholarship Committee

If elected, what would you change and what would you keep the same?  (Response limited to 300 words.) This is an odd question, so I have chosen to use a more philosophical approach for my answer. I’d like to see attitudes about the role of government change. Too often we who serve hear the complaints, but when folks are asked to participate the simple, easy answer is always, “I hate politics.” This baffles me, because in a democracy we, the people, are the government. I’d like to see a little less  of “what’s in it for me” and a little more “what can I do for you.” Perhaps working with our local Board of Education to promote a more proactive civics programs could advance better participation and  understanding how government works in the future, and I would support Region One in this regard.

I would keep pushing for more public/private projects as a way of turning around the economy. As an example, for the past five years, I undertook the task of learning about how we could bring about the restoration of passenger service, as proposed by the Housatonic Railroad, by engaging with them and then working with my fellow board members and others to work toward this goal. To date, there is a  new sense coming out of Hartford for promotion of rail, and currently this project is being considered as a top project by the Department of Transportation. I would like to keep my position on the board to continue to advance this project forward not just for the benefit of North Canaan but for the benefit of the entire Northwest Corner community.

 

Douglas Humes Jr., Republican

Office being sought: First selectman

Age: 63

Number of years in town: Born here

Profession: First selectman and Department of Transportation permit investigator

Up to five boards and/or commissions served on (and in what capacity) in the past five years: Northwestern Connecticut Council of Governments, Connecticut Railroad Historical Association (president), Board of Selectmen

If elected, what would you change and what would you keep the same?  (Response limited to 300 words.) Try to encourage business in the Downtown District; complete Union Station; keep the rural small-town attitude; help to resume rail service.

Charlie Perotti, Republican

Office being sought: Selectman

Age: 62

Number of years in town: 62

Profession: Co-owner of William Perotti & Sons Inc. Plumbing and Heating

Up to five boards and/or commissions served on (and in what capacity) in the past five years: Running for second term as selectman; active member of North Canaan Fire Company for 44 years including 20 years as chief

If elected, what would you change and what would you keep the same? (Response limited to 300 words.)  There are many things that I would like to accomplish if I am re-elected to a second term of office. During these difficult economic times I do not want to raise taxes. I would also like to see additional business revenue brought into the town and fewer empty storefronts. One way that I will accomplish this is to keep progress moving on the completion of the railroad station so that this historic landmark can again became a vital part of our downtown community. I want to continue upgrading our community recreation areas as well as maintaining areas such as the doughboy and the greenway. Another priority is to uphold a high level of education for all children in our town. In order to keep residents informed of activities and events taking place I would like to begin a monthly newsletter. The newsletter would include information about what is going on with volunteer organizations, the school and businesses throughout the town. I feel that it would be an effective way to build communication and a sense of camaraderie. I have lived in North Canaan my entire life and I look forward to helping to lead it into the future.

Region One Board of Education

Steven P. Allyn, endorsed Republican Candidate, registered Democrat

Office being sought: Region One Board of Education representative

Age: 55

Number of years in town: Lifelong resident

Profession: Owner of Allyn Company Hydraulic Engineering LLC and Allyndale Limestone

Up to five boards and/or commissions served on (and in what capacity) in the past five years: Planning and Zoning Commission for 12 years, vice chairman for four years and now chairman for two years; North Canaan Democratic Town Committee for four years, chairman for one year; Board of Directors of Allyndale Corporation, vice president for 25 years and chief financial officer for two years; chief executive officer of the Allyn Company Hydraulic Engineering LLC

If elected, what would you change and what would you keep the same? (Response limited to 300 words.) As a businessman, community leader and parent of three students in Region One, I would bring a fresh approach to the Board of Education. My experience leads to an understanding of the needs of Region One students, the school and the community whereby I can make sound business decisions that would enhance the future of successful education for our students in Region One schools. I would change the way the administration interacts by using a more proactive approach with the Board of Education and our community for better relations. I believe we have to run the school as a successful business entity balanced with positive results for the education of our students. Understanding our tax base in Region One and how it will impact the budget, and understanding when to ask the tough questions is how to achieve this goal. For example: Why has a situation been created to offer pay raises for administrators in tough economic times and open-ended contracts that do not protect the school or communities’ rights to hire or excuse administrators on a need-to basis? It is clear it is time for a change. As taxpayers, our money must be used wisely for our children’s education. Having the knowledge and responsibilities of a board member, I believe monthly meetings with administration must stay in place and must adhere to the bylaws of the board, The Freedom of Information Act and the Rights and Responsibilities of a Board Member and protect the rights and privacy of students, teachers and administrators, as set by federal and state laws and mandates. I am ready serve my community and work with other board members for the good of our school and would be proud to represent you as your North Canaan Region One Board representative.

Laura Freund, Democrat

Office being sought: Region One Board of Education representative

Age: 61

Number of years in town: Lived in North Canaan all my life

Profession: Special Education teacher

Up to five boards and/or commissions served on (and in what capacity) in the past five years: Region One Board of Education for the past four years

If elected, what would you change and what would you keep the same? (Response limited to 300 words.) As we struggle with the needs of our communities in tough economic times I feel strongly that educating our future generations is a very important task. We have an enormous responsibility to provide our students the best possible opportunities in order to be competitive in the global community in the 21st century. This is expensive. We must be diligent in our budgetary responsibilities; however, educating our students cannot be shortchanged.

• We need to look forward in the area of technology to include a vision for where we want to go, the expense involved and the expertise required.

• I would continue to support administrators and teachers as we revise the Teacher/School Leader Evaluation and Professional Development plan to include student achievement measures.

• I would support the implementation of School Climate Plans to be approved by the board and submitted to the state.

• I will continue to support the initiatives of the school success plans and career activities (example: Freshman Focus). We need to strengthen our School-to-Work programming as well as mentor programs for our students.

• We need to study the impact of declining enrollment — the impact on course offerings at Housatonic Valley Regional High School and the possibility of online course offerings for classes we cannot run.

• We need to focus on promoting positive relations with the public instead of creating controversy and personal vendettas.

• I would continue to support the administration and teachers in incorporating the new Common Core Curriculum Standards adopted by the state of Connecticut.

• I would support the new high school administration in implementing schoolwide improvement goals.

• Our primary responsibility is policy development and this needs to be our focus to create a positive educational system.
 

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