Cheshire Election 2021: Don Walsh Running For Town Council

CHESHIRE, CT — The 2021 municipal election is heating up in Cheshire with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 2 and cast their ballots for seats on the Town Council, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning Commission and more.

Cheshire Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Republican Don Walsh, 61, is running for re-election to the Cheshire Town Council in the 3rd District.

Occupation: Owner Of Dw Gem Services, Llc

Family:
Jenifer, wife, 56
Cara, daughter, 23
Patrick, son, 20

Jenifer and I are the founders and leaders of Cheshire's Lights of Hope. A non-profit located in Cheshire to help our neighbors in need. To date, we have raised over $1 million.

Experience: Currently serving on Town Council for the 3rd district

Family in government: No

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

School Modernization- Having served for over a year on the School Modernization Committee, our group methodically went through many different options and slowly got it down to 2 options. One is the preferred plan and the second would be looked at if we were told by the board of education or superintendent that it wouldn't work. Since we haven't heard that, we are continuing to work on the financials and hope to be ready for a referendum next year. It may not be the choice of everyone, but it will fix our enrollment issues and close the 4 oldest school buildings in our town. Without a passed referendum, we will be investing in temporary buildings to put the overflow of kids in. I intend to push hard to get this to a positive outcome.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

We will all say that we are in favor of School Modernization, but we may differ on what option to choose. I believe in the hard work of the School Modernization Committee, these people sat through hours and hours of meetings and used the information provided by the numerous experts to develop a thorough and concise plan. We must honor their work until we are told the plan will not work. I am disappointed to hear people say if they don't get their way then they won't vote for school modernization. It's for the children of our town and that sentiment is not fair to them.

Accomplishments:

Served on the School Modernization Committee, delivering a thorough and concise plan to the town council. In 2020 we did not raise the mill rate at all yet kept the town running through a pandemic. In 2021, we only raised the mill rate by 0.5. Reaffirmed our AAA credit rating which allows us to borrow at a lower rate. Performed many improvements to our parks, including new pickle ball and tennis courts. Fully funded a full strength police department. As chair of the Solid Waste Committee, brought back the bulky trash pick up. Funded paving of 20 miles of roads. Added sidewalks along Jarvis to link up to the linear park. Rapid response to help the residents after Storm Isias in 2020.

Other issues:

Working hard to bring development to the north end to add to our grand list. Hopefully the referendum to build on to Bartlem Park will be passed and will begin that phase of developing a park for all ages and finally giving the town its own town green.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I was elected 2 years ago to help lead our town. I feel I have done just that and we are in a great position financially to take on the school modernization plan that is so overdue and needed. I am passionate about our town and I feel my experience will help Cheshire to continue to grow.

Are you running for office in Cheshire? Email vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile on Cheshire Patch.