Brookfield Planning Commission, Zoning Commission Candidate Profiles

Information is provided by the Republican and Democratic Town Committee’s websites.\

Land Use

Jon Van Hise [D] - Planning Commission

• Jon Van Hise has lived in Brookfield for the past 50 years with his wife, Maureen. He is the father of six children, all of whom were raised in Brookfield and has fourteen grandchildren. Jon retired from IBM after 35 years of service where he was a microelectronics engineer and manager. As his children were growing up, he was very active with the Cub Scouts, Pop Warner football, and coaching in the Brookfield Baseball Association. A member of St. Joseph’s parish, he has been active in the St. Joseph’s Men’s Club and is a past vice-president and director of that organization. Currently, Mr. Van Hise is completing his 28th year of service on the Brookfield Planning Commission on which he is currently chairman and has been secretary and vice-chairman at various times during his long tenure on this commission. He is a recipient of a”Lifetime Achievement Award for Planning” from the Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies. From 1975 through 1985, he served on the Economic Development Commission and was it’s chairman for 3 years. Also, Mr. Van Hise served twice on the Charter Revision Committee., as the vice-chairman on the 2014 committee and as a member on the 1979 committee. In his community service, Jon has been a strong advocate in community planning which retains the rural character of the town yet provides for growth in the town’s tax base. He continues to believe that “ Brookfield, Better than Ever,” the bumper sticker that was created during his tenure on the EDC, is still true today and has made this a goal in his past, current, and future service to the town.

David Frankel [R] – Planning Commission

• Dave is seeking his third term as a regular Planning Commissioner, having previously served as an alternate. For 10 years, David served on the Brookfield Arts Commission holding positions of Secretary and Co-Chairman. Self-employed in the radio communication industry, Dave serves on the Republican Town Committee and as a poll worker. He has three adult children who graduated from BHS and has lived in Brookfield for nearly 19 years.

Matt Grimes [R] – Zoning Commission

• Matt has served on the Zoning Commission since 2008 and was elected to his first full term in 2011. Previously Chairman of the Board of Education, he presently serves as Chairman of the Republican Town Committee. A veteran of the insurance industry, Matt earned his JD from UConn law school and is a licensed attorney in 3 states. He is a near lifelong resident and graduated from BHS.

Mara Frankel [D] - Zoning Commission

• Mara has lived in Brookfield since 2006 and has been an alternate on the Brookfield Zoning Commission since Sept. 2012, she also previously served on the Economic Development Commission and the Downtown Revitalization Committee studying the downtown Four Corners in Brookfield. As a Certified Zoning Enforcement Officer, Mara worked for over 10 years for the Towns of New Fairfield and Darien, was elected to and acted as the Chairman of New Fairfield’s Zoning Commission. Currently working as a Project Manager in Greenwich, CT, Mara has worked for over 35 years in the construction industry, learning from a family run site work and construction development business. After graduating from New Milford High School, Mara lived in New Fairfield for 28 years raising 3 children who all reside in the area and two grandchildren. Mara is passionate about Land Use, developing fair and reasonable regulations and further studying the uses and development within the Four Corners area as well as compatible uses with the Town of Brookfield.\

Rick McCarty [D] - Zoning Commission

• Rick McCarty is an entrepreneur with 24 years in the construction and landscaping business. A native Brookfielder and 1991 graduate of Brookfield High School, Rick pursued an education in Business Management and Horticulture and serves as the owner and President of Brothers Outdoor Services. Beyond his business prowess, Rick enjoys serving his community. Rick provided volunteer services to the community outreach program, Rake and Bake, providing lawn services to seniors citizens unable to maintain their yards. Rick, his wife Kris and his five children participate in raising funds for people with Multiple Sclerosis through annual walkathons. Rick and his family also work hard to raise money for cancer research and support Relay for Life. Following Hurricanes Irene and Sandy as well as the 2011 Halloween Blizzard, Rick was integral in the cleanup of downed trees and removal of snow and debris. As a business owner who serves the Brookfield community , Rick understands the impact of the unfettered building of apartment buildings. Rick is committed to leading the town in taking control of the Town Center project before it negatively impacts property prices and area businesses any further. When asked why he was running for Zoning, Rick firmly stated, “One of my top priorities if elected, is to provide sound and ethical decisions within the scope of zoning that will be of the best interest of the town and residents.” Directly serving the commercial and residential community, Rick has your best interest at heart and looks forward to serving his community even further. A family man, Rick and Kris are proud of their five daughters, Felicia, Ashley, Amber, Riley and Hunter. In serving on Zoning, Rick hopes to preserve and protect the community for future generations.