Patch Candidate Profile: Jeffrey Tomchik, Danbury City Council

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

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

Firefighter Jeffrey Tomchik, 48, is running for re-election to the Danbury City Council, 7th Ward, as a Democrat. He holds a BA in labor studies with a concentration in political science, and an AS in fire science and technology. With his wife Heather, he is raising a son, Grady.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Yes, incumbent candidate for Council Member of the 7th Ward, MORE Commission of Regional Entities Sub-Committee

Why are you seeking this office?

Assist, plan, and manage the development of the City of Danbury in order to create a sustainable community for future generations. This includes building to create a successful educational system, maintain and grow youth development through athletics, arts, and outdoor facilities, plan responsible growth in the existing infrastructure in order to manage both residential and business growth, and maintain high levels of government services, such as public safety.

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

Infrastructure development. The west side of the city has endured significant development of residential and business structures. There needs to be significant upgrades to traffic patterns, intersections, and traffic light locations as well as access to quality educational institutions and increases in public safety to fulfill the gaps created by this growth.

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

Having been a firefighter with the City of Danbury for over 20 years, I have worked in every neighborhood. This has allowed me recognizing where programs have been successful and what programs and services need to be increased. I have also spent a significant amount of time as a Union leader for Danbury Professional Firefighters and have built a tremendous amount of experience in understanding the role as someone with the responsibilities of representing a group. This has also built up experience in the ability to work with city officials in many capacities to overcome challenges or difficulties in order to successfully represent my constituents.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

While I am not directly challenging an incumbent, I have been motivated to maintain my position on the council in order to reconnect the voice of the ward with city hall. I feel strongly that this has failed to be done and many of the constituent base is frustrated by being left unheard.

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

For the almost 25 years I have lived in Danbury, I have seen a significant decrease in arts and entertainment for both the youth and older generations. From the absence of the Gas Ball, deterioration of any particular visual arts program (including the recent closing of the YMCA youth arts center), and the closing of any substantial music venue that fostered music development. In addition, I would like to work hard to grow our educational system to prepare our future generations of Danburians for life ahead and continue to secure significant business growth in order for these generations to have the option to remain locally for their careers and families.

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

I also work as the Director of Legislative and Political Affairs for the Uniformed Professional Firefighters of Connecticut. We represent over 4,000 career firefighters across the state. This has helped me gain experience in working deeply within the ranks of the General Assembly in order to attain legislative priorities to further protections for firefighters. I have gained strong understandings of government/governance, fiscal/long term budget planning, conflict resolution and the skillful art of compromise.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Every day is a crisis. It’s how you manage it that matters.

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

I am very humbled and proud to serve the community as a firefighter, to lead and prepare firefighters as a Lieutenant, to head to the capitol to fight for workplace protections and increase job safety. I have been bringing that skill set to the 7th ward of Danbury, making sure that each resident has a voice. I am bringing not only your voice to city hall, but also working hard on prepared resolutions to those issues. Creating change and working for the betterment of the community.