Election 2021: Matt Despard For Enfield Town Council, District 3

ENFIELD, CT — Democrat Matt Despard, 38, is running for Enfield Town Council District 3.

Occupation: Mental Health Counselor

Family: Danielle Patterson (fiancé, wife after Oct. 16)

Family in government: Not that I am aware of

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

I think that high taxes and fees are the biggest problems facing Enfield. We all have borne these financial burdens in recent years, but families and seniors on a fixed income have been hit the hardest. The Republican majority on the Town Council has consistently raised our mill rates and instituted new fees year after year for many years now. To change this I will grow our tax base by working hard to attract new and innovative businesses to town, like the cannabis industry. Creating new, quality jobs will bring new families to town and grow our tax base further. Additionally, better management of capital improvement projects will save money, eliminate the need for hidden fees, and lead to healthier infrastructure. These efforts are vital to eliminate the current majority practice of making families and seniors pay for government inefficiencies.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I believe Enfield should attract innovative new businesses, such as the $19 billion dollar cannabis industry. I spoke out against the Republican Town Council’s ban on cannabis businesses, my opponent did not. I believe we need to generate new tax revenue to pay down our $103 million bond debt. My opponent’s party has ballooned our debt during the last decade plus which they have held the majority of seats on the Town Council. I believe we need a sound long term strategy for capital improvements. My opponent’s party has put off repairing our town’s critical infrastructure, resulting in huge capital improvement costs, increased borrowing, and add-on sewer fees for all.

Accomplishments:

I’ve spent my entire professional life advocating for the most vulnerable members of my community. I have a lot of experience resolving conflicts and bringing people together. I’ve worked as a professional counselor in school, residential, community, and private settings. In each context I have successfully assisted folks with overcoming conflicts in order to work together towards a common good. These skills are desperately needed in all levels of our government, and especially locally. Our community is divided along political and emotional fault lines- I think it’s time to elect leaders who will cut through the divisions to bring people together. As a professional trained to do this I believe I am the right person for the job.

Other issues:

Pro-family and Small Business Development. Protecting and Enhancing Services for our Seniors. Ensuring Schools Have Resources Needed to Thrive Equity for All

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I believe in Enfield. I believe in our strength and the resilience of the good people who live here. I believe deeply in our ability to come together for the common good. When we unify and we achieve great things. Please vote Row A to make Enfield a better place this November!

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