Brookfield Candidate Profile: Steve Dunn For First Selectman

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 Board of Selectman.

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.

Steve Dunn, 64, is running for re-election to the Board of Selectmen 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: *

My wife Cassie and I have lived in Brookfield for 36 years. Our four children, Cate, Cullen, Conor and Jack, are 13 year alumni of Brookfield schools.

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

No

Education: *

Manhattanville College. MBA from Fordham University

Occupation: *

Currently serving my second term as Brookfield’s First Selectman. Prior to being elected four years ago to this position I was retired from my career at JPMorgan Chase. I have also worked at Citibank and Banker’s Trust Company in various capacities, eventually heading a group at JPMorgan Chase responsible for over $2 trillion of client assets.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: *

Currently First Selectman of Brookfield

Campaign Website: *

www.dunn-slater2019.com and www.brookfielddemocrats.org

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

The top priority is building the new school on time and on budget. Given past experience with the high school construction project and problems with spending and overall management of that project, we have hired an owner’s agent that will monitor, on a daily basis, the construction of and spending for the new school.

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

I have close to 4 years of experience as Brookfield’s First Selectman placing me in a position to be intimately aware of the details necessary to perform the day to day duties of this important job. My prior background in finance and management has served me well in being able to improve the towns finances and build a very strong balance and control environment.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

· Continuing to develop the town center by bringing in market rate developments and commercial projects.

· Finishing the Streetscape Phases II, III, and IV. Phase II and III have already been fully funded, with grants covering 75% of the cost.

· Renewing our moratorium on affordable housing so the town continues to have full control of all development.

· Keeping taxes at reasonable levels.

· Continue to increase using cash instead of borrowing for capital projects

· Managing overall development to prevent projects like the 7 story building that was proposed from being erected.

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

I have almost 4 years experience in this position and during that time I have worked with our town employees and elected officials to responsibly oversee our town budgets, capital projects and the day to day operations of the town. During this time I have been effective at working with our town boards to bring a level of cooperation and civility to our town government that was lacking when I took office. We have improved the town’s finances by building up our general fund balance which allowed Moody’s to upgrade our rating. This will be very important when we go to borrow funds for our new school. We continue to have reasonable tax levels as we continue to borrow less and pay for more capital items with cash while still dealing with cuts in State grants every year.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Whenever you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. My dad gave me this advice 50 years ago. It means if you are not getting the results you want, step back, reassess and start anew with a better plan.

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

My wife and I moved our family here in 1983. Two years later I received a job offer I could not turn down. That job was on Wall Street. Rather than move my family out of this beautiful town, I commuted to Wall Street for 35 years. That was a very good decision and I have never regretted making it. This town is the best town in CT and even US News and World Report agreed, naming Brookfield one of the top 25 towns in the nation. I want to continue improving our town, building a vibrant downtown for our residents and building the long awaited and much needed new school.