Darien Candidate Profile: Jayme Stevenson For First Selectman

DARIEN, CT — Election day in Darien is drawing closer, and there are two candidates running for First Selectman in town, Republican incumbent Jayme Stevenson and petitioning candidate Chris Noe.

To help residents make an informed decision on Nov. 5, Darien Patch asked the two candidates to answer questions about the issues in town and their campaigns.

Stevenson, 58, has been Darien's First Selectman since 2011. She has been married to her husband, John, 61, for 32 years, and they have five children: Alexandra (29) married with one child; Samantha (28) married; Charlett (25); McKenna (23); and John (20).

She has a B.S. Degree in Telecommunication & Business Management from Arizona State University, Walter Cronkite School of Communication, and at one point worked for Standard & Poor's Corporation as Vice President, Asset-Backed Finance.

Her campaign website is darientogether2019.com.

Are you running for office in Darien? Contact Al Branch at alfred.branch@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Darien Patch.

The single most pressing issue facing Darien is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Darien is a highly desirable town to live in, raise a family and own/operate a business. The State of Connecticut's financial struggles have directly impacted cities and towns more every year in the form of mandates, reductions in state aid and policies that are changing the way government services are delivered. Control over local decision-making is at risk and state mandates for regionalizing services in the name of 'saving money' is a high priority for state leadership. Working with my board and fellow elected officials, we are working to create a sustainable and resilient local government...government that balances the needs of our community and the financial/taxpayer impacts of the cost of government service. In addition, I've accepted and have been serving in leadership roles on regional and state boards to amplify the voice of small, well-managed towns like Darien.

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

My husband John grew up in Darien and our family has lived here for 28 years. Our 5 children attended Darien Public Schools. I've been deeply engaged in Darien non-profit organizations and school PTO's for the 28 years we've lived here, giving me a connection to and understanding of what we value as a community. First elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2009, I have 10 years of town leadership experience, 8 of those as Darien's First Selectman. Working with my local elected and appointed colleagues as well as our exceptional municipal staff, I've managed through the financial impacts of the mortgage crisis of 2008 and through the continued uncertainty of how the State of Connecticut is managing a stagnant economy and the costs of ballooning public pension liabilities. We've kept local property taxes as low as possible while giving our taxpayers sound returns on their local property tax investments.

The role of First Selectman has changed significantly over my tenure with the 2015 state mandate to create regional Council's of Governments (COGs). State leaders plan for COGs to facilitate regional government service delivery. Elected by my Chief Elected peers twice to serve as Chairman of the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG), I have a strong voice for preserving local control for cities and towns in our region as well as helping to facilitate voluntary service-sharing that can create efficiencies and reduce the cost of government. Additionally, as Chairman of the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (Connecticut's municipal insurance provider), I have a unique understanding of how to manage municipal risk which in turn, supports government best-practices and lowers the cost of taxpayer-funded municipal insurance.

I've seized every opportunity to be a vocal ambassador for our wonderful town locally, regionally and statewide. Darien continues to be a highly desirable small New England town for families and businesses alike. Our excellent schools, easy commute, beautiful parks and beaches, commitment to sustainable practices and relatively low property tax rate have been foundational to ongoing business investors and commercial developers. Darien is in the midst of an historic and exciting commercial development transformation the groundwork for which has been a very well-managed town.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

My Republican teammates, Kip Koons and Christa McNamara, are dedicated to preserving Darien's 200-year history of community collaboration, efficient and limited government and will be strong voices for local control. We will prioritize sound investments of taxpayer dollars, excellence and safety in our schools and improved pedestrian, bicyclist and commuter amenities. We will continue to promote open and accessible government, economic development and support for our small business community, healthy living, housing choice, sustainable practices, environmental stewardship and positive and respectful dialogue on issues important to our residents.

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

(see answers to "critical differences" question)

Voters should look to my 8-year record as Darien's First Selectman when they cast their vote on November 5th. It's important to recognize my accomplishments are a reflection of the teamwork, relationship-building and collaboration necessary in our representative form of government. We've prioritized public safety, education, recreation, sustainability, care for our seniors, stewardship for our natural environment and for our taxpayer dollars. We've kept property taxes low while investing in our schools, land, improved roadways and pedestrian safety measures, law enforcement and emergency preparedness personnel/tools, recreational facilities, sewer and drainage infrastructure and our volunteer fire and EMS providers. We've prioritized the implementation of sustainable energy initiatives and waste reduction and have supported the development of housing alternatives, rail commuter amenities and commercial development opportunities. We've hired and retained exceptional staff and encourage substantive public engagement in all municipal decision-making. The health and well-being of our residents, particularly our children, is our highest priority so we've joined our community partners in efforts to address mental health, addiction and public safety challenges.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

"A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. She does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of her actions and the integrity of her intent." Douglas MacArthur

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

It's been the greatest honor of my life to serve the Town of Darien. I respectfully ask for your vote on November 5th.