|
|
|
Candidate Statement - Gail Lavielle
|
|
It is a very great privilege to live in Wilton. In 2002, when my husband and I first moved here, we could have gone to any town in Connecticut, but we chose Wilton. When professional obligations took us out of state, I moved heaven and earth to come back, because we could not imagine living anywhere else. This was the greatest compliment we could pay to Wilton. We are most fortunate to be here, and public service is the best way I know to show my appreciation.
What I bring to Wilton and the Board of Finance
I believe I bring two unique assets to this office:
- My public service work on behalf of Wilton has given me a keen understanding of the representative function of this role, and I have already proven my commitment to fulfilling it by seeking out and listening to the views of more than 1,000 Wiltonians during the past three months, by knocking on doors, attending public forums and events, and meeting with town and school officials. I can base my views and collaborative work in Town government on real conversations with real people. And I have established relationships that can facilitate dialogue with the community as the budget process moves forward.
- My background combines both private and public service experience, as well as education. I worked for or advised financial institutions for 20 years, including JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley, and held Series 7, 66, and 31 securities licenses. I was CEO of a company that I turned around, grew, and managed consistently at a profit, and I was SVP of the world's largest water company. As a state public transportation Commissioner, I've fought hard for Wilton as an advocate for rail upgrades and station access, as well as environmentally friendly transportation solutions, which have also been a focus for me on the Wilton Energy Commission. Teaching at UConn has given me insight into educational issues and priorities. I hold degrees from Yale and Cornell, and a UConn MBA in finance.
I've brought financial, managerial, consensus-building, and communications skills, plus my ability to work collaboratively, from the private sector to my public service work. I would bring all of these to the Board of Finance. I've proven my determination to listen actively to Wiltonians, and to work tenaciously on their behalf.
Priorities
Constituents do not always have time to seek out their representatives; to understand what they think it is often necessary to ask them directly. I would make continuing the active outreach efforts I have already begun a personal responsibility.
My priority is protecting our town and our taxpayers by balancing the needs of our residents with the resources that they have to pay for them. My view of what this means is based on what Wiltonians from a broad array of constituencies have told me:
- Keeping our taxes under control, while the town navigates through continuing economic uncertainty
- Working closely and cooperatively with the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen to ensure academic excellence in our schools, quality and efficiency of town services, and a lifelong home for all of our residents
- Maintaining the beautiful physical character of our town
To do these things, I believe we must:
- Maintain financial soundness, our AAA bond rating, and the integrity of the reserve fund
- Explore ways to reduce costs that don't compromise academic standards or quality of services
- Find ways to expand our tax base that do not alter the town's character
- Plan for the longer term and match revenue objectives to expected costs
Guiding Principles
- Respect: Listening attentively to all constituencies, whatever their views.
- Maintaining academic excellence and quality of essential services. Neither must be sacrificed.
- Deference - To Wiltonians who have lived here for decades, to their insight, and to the contributions they make to our lives every day.
- Accountability and transparency. I will question any appropriation until I am satisfied that it is cost-effective and that it benefits the town.
- Realism and compassion. Our residents have been hit hard by the economy. We must not assume they can accept a higher tax burden during these tough times than they can bear.
- Town before partisanship. Every volunteer in our local government wants the best for Wilton. We must work together cooperatively, always behaving as ladies and gentlemen, to find solutions.
I am honored to have the opportunity to run for this office, and to play a role in preserving our fine quality of life in Wilton for years to come. I am ready to serve and to listen. My philosophy is that elected representatives must listen, always, or they cannot lead.
|
|
|
|
