Enfield Candidate Profile: Gina Cekala, Town Council

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

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

Name: Gina Cekala

How old will you be as of Election Day? 44

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://enfieldctdemocrats.org...

What city or town do you live in?Enfield

What office are you seeking? Town Council - At Large

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: JD from Western New England School of Law, Bachelors in Psychology from Clark University

What is your occupation? Attorney

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I am married and have 2 children, ages 15 and 17.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Currently no. My husband served in the military for over 20 years.

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

Yes, I am currently serving my fifth term on the Town Council

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I have been involved in local government for over 10 years. I do not feel like I am done yet. There is more that I can do to help the community. I have lived in Enfield for almost 40 years. This is my home.

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

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is the spreading of misinformation. What I intend to do about that is continue to promote transparency, disseminate correct and complete information, continue to dispel incorrect information, call out the people who spread that misinformation and answer questions truthfully from the residents.

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

I have, and will continue to support our schools and board of education. I support the growing of our local economy, with both small businesses and larger business, support affordable housing options for our residents and I promote equity within our town.

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

Although I am an incumbent, I can say that the minority party is currently often disruptive and obstructionist in their behavior. Their behavior has prevented some of the progress we have tried to make.

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

First, I will listen to the concerns of the residents. I want to create a complete and long term plan for our parks and recreations areas in town. I want to strengthen the partnership between the town and the schools and support our students in any way we can. I also want to attempt to find ways to try to ease some of the financial burden of our taxpayers, without losing services.

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

I have served on the council in both the minority and now the majority party. I know how to attempt to build consensus and work across party lines. This term we have been successful in overturning some of the policies put into place by the prior majority. We have fully funded and supported our schools for the first time in many years this term as well. We have successfully distributed millions of dollars in ARPA funds. We have created a senior volunteer tax credit and expanded the income levels for the senior tax credit. These are just a few of the things we have done this term.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

To think globally and act locally.