East Haven Candidate Profile: Ashley Lesco for Town Council

EAST HAVEN, CT —East Haven’s election season is heating up.

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

Ashley Lesco, 36, is a Democrat running for election to the Town Council, First District.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you'd be representing.

No

Education:

I am a graduate of East Haven High School Class of 2001 and also a 2003 graduate of Branford Hall Career Institute where I received a diploma in Paralegal Studies.

Occupation:

Paralegal for the last 16 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

None- I am hoping to change that!

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

By far education is the most pressing issue facing our town. We need better communication between the Town Council and the Board of Education so that we can get these kids the education and that they deserve as well as the funding that the Board of Education needs.

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

As a fresh face to the scene I am able to make my own decisions and not what my others may want me to make. I am here for my constituents of my District and what they want and need is what I want and need. I want to be the voice of the people who may not necessarily have a voice. I want my constituents to be able to come to me and voice their concerns and know that I will do all I can to help them and get the problem resolved.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Bringing businesses into the Town and making it a beautiful place for people to want to visit and live. Also, making the parks in East Haven as nice as they used to be. The children are the future of East Haven and we need to show them that they are just as important as anyone else. They need safer and better fields to play sports as well as a better town pool for the high school swim team.

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

I believe I can handle this job because I will work tirelessly to make the Town of East Haven the best it can be. No one ever starts at the top- they have to work up to the top and I promise that if I am elected I will work just as hard to the people of East Haven as I would for my own family.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

Have the courage to live a life true to yourself, not the life others expect of you.

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

I am a hardworking mother of two who doesn't ever stop! I am the Co-Secretary of the East Haven Rotary Club as well as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Joseph Melillo Middle School Parent Teacher Committee. I promise to work tirelessly for the people of East Haven as we all deserve better than what we have been given in the past. Let's move forward on November 5th.

Are you running for office in East Haven? Contact Ellyn Santiago at ellyn.santiago@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to East Haven Patch.