Brookfield Candidate Profile: Mary Cappiello For Zoning Board

BROOKFIELD, CT — Brookfield's election season is heating and there are plenty of contested races with candidates eager to get their name on the ballot for the town's municipal election. One of those contested races is the race for the Zoning Commission.

Brookfield Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Mary Cappiello, 54, is running for election to the Zoning Commission as a Democrat.

Are you running for office in Brookfield? Contact Brian McCready at brian.mccready@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Brookfield Patch.

Family: *

I have lived in Brookfield for thirty years with my husband, Tony. We have three children who all attended from Brookfield schools K – 12.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? *

No

Education: *

Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Western Connecticut State University and an Alternate Route to (Teacher) Certification from the Connecticut Department of Education.

Occupation: *

I am currently dedicating my time to volunteering my service to the Brookfield Community after years of teaching math at East Ridge Middle School in Ridgefield.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: *

I am currently serving as an appointed member of the Library Board of Trustees and the Zoning Commission.

Campaign Website: *

www.brookfielddemocrats.org

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it. *

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is what to do about various aging town facilities such as the library and police station now that the schools project is underway. I will stay informed about what is being done with the ad hoc committee to study the best possible future uses of Center School (when it becomes vacant as part of the school plan). I will support plan(s) that fit the needs of the community, are efficient, and cost-effective.

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

I have been on the Zoning Commission longer than anyone else currently running. In that nearly two years time, I was a part of rewriting the zoning regulations so I am already very familiar with them.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

I want to continue the implementation of the newly rewritten regulations to bring good, well-planned development to Brookfield. I seek to maintain a balance of residential, commercial, business, industrial, and open space use. I want to grow the tax base while preserving the charm, character, look, and feel of small-town Brookfield.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

My dad usually quoted Einstein, but it was his advise based on something that Henry Ford said that stuck with me: “Don’t find the fault. Find the remedy.” I took that to mean, don’t just complain about something. Do something to work toward fixing it.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My family moved a lot when I was growing up. When my husband and I came to Brookfield 30 years ago...and stayed...Brookfield became my first and only hometown. I learned something from living in so many places. No matter where people live, they all want the same things. Everyone wants a nice place to live, where they can spend time with family and friends. Everyone works, sends their children to school, grocery shops, does the laundry, pays the bills, celebrates holidays, and roots for their favorite teams. We have so much more in common with each other than what today’s social media tries to tell us divides us. Let us be kind to each other.

I proudly serve on some boards now to give back to Brookfield. By design, we are not all of the same political party. You would never know anyone’s affiliation. We all come together to do the work before us. I hope that you will give me the honor of continuing that work on the Zoning Commission.