Enfield Candidate Profile: Colleen Reidy, Town Council At-Large

ENFIELD, CT — Enfield's election season is heating up, and there are plenty of contested races with candidates eager to represent their town in November's municipal election. Enfield Patch asked candidates in the town council and Board of Education races to answer questions about their campaigns, and has been publishing candidate profiles each weekday as election day draws near.

Colleen Ann Reidy is running for election to the Enfield Town Council, seeking an at-large seat, as a member of Voices for Enfield.

Name: Colleen Ann Reidy

Age: 53

Position Sought: Town Council at-large

Party Affiliation: Voices for Enfield, registered Green Party

Family: Married with three adult children.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government: It's the family business, currently I have family members working or retired as secretarial, teachers, elder care, firefighters, and police.

Education: Graduated from Cathedral High School with some college in biology.

Occupation: Town of Enfield 2003-present

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Enfield Beautification Committee Member/Chairman; Enfield Revitalization Committee Member; Enfield Historic Commission Alternate/Member; Enfield Cemetery Association Trustee; Thompsonville Fire Commission Member/Chairman

The single most pressing issue facing our town is: The current climate of our government as a whole has removed the honesty of government as well as it has taken away the voice of the people. I will continue to push for open, honest as well as legal government from our elected officials while listening to and acting upon the concerns of the citizens.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post: I have spent my political career pushing for the concerns of the citizens while keeping the process open and honest. I have and will continue to push for proper notice and use of executive session as to avoid "back door deals" as well as to handle government business as it should be under the law in an open and honest manner.

List other issues that define your campaign platform: Listening to and acting upon the concerns of the citizens. To work within the budget and stop putting tax dollars to outside pet projects. To maintain our town-owned buildings and properties properly, as to not have to bond out any more debt to the town. To improve our education system, to give our educators and students the tools they need to educate our future leaders.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job: As an elected official, I have pushed for more control of the budget, put into place practices that help track the budget on a monthly manner as to provide what should be a more accurate budget for the taxpayers of my district. I have pushed for open and honest government and insisted upon the proper use of executive session under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act. I will continue to stand on my own if need be to speak up and out for the citizens of our community. I have not forgotten my place as an elected official; I have worked hard for the citizens of my district and I will continue to be a strong voice for the citizens of Enfield

The best advice ever shared with me was: Breathe!!