Patch Candidate Profile: Gary Goetz​, Brookfield Town Clerk

BROOKFIELD, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Brookfield and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Brookfield Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Gary Goetz is running for election as Brookfield Town Clerk, on the Republican ticket.

Education.

Bachelor of Arts degree in English Writing, as well as a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Western Connecticut State University.

What is your occupation?

Healthcare Administration

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

With my wife Laurie, I have lived in Brookfield for over 26 years, moving here from Danbury in 1997. We raised our family in Brookfield, and all three children are products of the Brookfield educational system, and all continue to call Brookfield "home."

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Yes. Elected to the Brookfield Zoning Commission in 2021 and currently serving as Chairman. I also have served many years as an active member of the Brookfield Republican Town Committee (BRTC).

In my nearly two years of service as Chairman of the Zoning Commission, I have treated everyone equally and with respect. Likewise, I have worked hard to be fair and to focus on protecting the best interests of the people and the Town of Brookfield, while following the Brookfield zoning regulations and state statutes.

Why are you seeking this office?

Over the past 2 years, starting with the election of Tara Carr as First Selectman, Brookfield has many new faces that represent the residents of this wonderful town. I would be honored to bring my diverse education and years of successful management experience to the office of Town Clerk.
Happily, Brookfield is now putting the town and its citizens first, not that of the special interests. I plan to faithfully serve all the people of Brookfield, and reverse the intrusion of politics into what once was, and always should be, an apolitical and trusted office.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Certainly, many recent changes in the State of Connecticut election laws, to include the expansion of absentee balloting and early voting, have created many challenges that we all must educate ourselves about and manage successfully.

I intend to become a CCTC (Certified Connecticut Town Clerk) as soon as possible, since this is a key professional credential greatly assisting in performing the Town Clerk’s duties. Additionally, making the atmosphere in the Town Clerk’s office once again friendly, accessible, apolitical and competent is likewise a high priority.

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

My many years of effective management experience, in addition to my relevant education, will allow me to hit the ground running and not require several years of on-the-job training. Also, the fact that I am running a civil campaign, would seem to be a significant difference between me and my opponent.

I refer you to the recent News-Times article regarding an incident that happened over a year ago in which I was at first unjustly accused and the current Town Clerk and her political party (“Paid for by BDTC”) apparently sent out numerous text messages to Brookfield residents, and also ran vicious advertisements against me before all the facts were known.

This smear campaign is unprecedented in the annals of Brookfield election history and is not in keeping with my opponent’s statements that the Town Clerk position, “is not a political position”.
Certainly, it shows a temperament of, “Guilty until proven innocent!” and an injudicious rush to judgment that is unfortunately politically motivated.

I would ask my opponent to please disavow, and also apologize for the orchestrated smear campaign against me. Surely, we can all agree that this would be the civil thing to do.
Finally, I pledge to work hard to earn your trust and return the Town Clerk’s office to civility and non-partisanship.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Aside from what has already been mentioned relative to the serious changes with election laws, I plan to be available to courteously serve all the residents of Brookfield, and also instill a transparent and accessible culture of excellent service in the Town Clerk’s office.

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

As a healthcare administrator, I successfully turned around inefficient and unprofitable institutions while maintaining and improving a high level of customer and employee satisfaction. Furthermore, I have also served as a Notary Public and a Justice of the Peace for the State of Connecticut for many years.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Winston Churchill; “Never, never, never give up”.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Like many in town, I share their concerns that the Town Clerk's office should never be politicalized. I will restore the trust, service, transparency and accountability that the people of Brookfield so richly deserve. Thank you.