Enfield Candidate Profile: Kenneth Nelson Jr., 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: Kenneth Nelson Jr

How old will you be as of Election Day? 55

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

https://www.enfieldertc.com

What city or town do you live in? Enfield

What office are you seeking? Town Council District 1

Please give us your party affiliation: Republican

Education: High School Graduate

What is your occupation?

CT Valley Homes, Owner / Coldwell Banker Realty, Broker Associate

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

Wife, Jo-Marie, 4 children and 10 (soon to be 11) grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

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

Town Council at Large 2005-2013
Town Council District 1 2022-2023
Minority Leader 2022-2023
Deputy Mayor 2007-2013
Chairman Planning & Zoning Commission 2017-2021

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?

Serving my community and District 1 is an honor and privilege. It’s a way to give back to Enfield which my family and I proudly call home. As a lifelong resident and small business owner in Enfield, I am well equipped to understand the community’s unique needs and would like to continue the work in District 1 that I currently have the honor of serving.

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

Taxes and affordability. In these unprecedented economic times, I am a firm believer we can still move Enfield forward with the right mix of economic development. We cannot keep shifting the burden to our residents without serious consequences. Seniors, young families and those on fixed incomes are truly struggling. Now, more than ever, we need to find inefficiencies within the town and attract new development to grow the grand list as this increased revenue will offset tax increases to our residents.
As the current minority leader, I have proven I am able to work across the aisle and with staff to achieve these efforts and it is my hope in this next term, we can truly look at how we are able to offer our residents some relief.

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

Unfortunately, I am not exactly sure what the other District 1 candidate’s platform is and as there is no public record to pull from, I would venture to guess education as she is the Enfield Teachers Union President. I personally feel as the Teachers Union President, it would be a conflict of interest for her take part in any discussions regarding our schools as the council is the fiscally responsible party in regards to the education budget and teacher's contracts. She may do a great job representing the teachers and staff, but the council's job is represent the residents first and foremost.
I do not believe that throwing money at a problem is always the answer. I believe inefficiencies need to be found in all town budgets. I have years of proven fiscal management with accountability and a long standing, strong working relationship with town officials and staff to ensure these objectives are accomplished.

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

“Bringing back the people’s voices” would be one of my top priorities. When residents speak to the current majority council with issues they are facing and are dismissed, this is a problem. Elected officials work for you and residents should be truly heard, not just listened to. The upcoming school modernization, public safety complex and ongoing infrastructure projects are all important issues currently facing the council that are also top priorities during this upcoming term. Under the school modernization plan, I will advocate to keep our neighborhood school in District 1. I am a firm believer that a neighborhood school is the heart of a community. In addition, I am a proponent of supporting youth activities, maintaining our parks, fields and public spaces to attract and retain our residents.
Additionally, I voted against this current budget, which was the largest tax increase Enfield residents have seen since the 1980s.

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

As the current District 1 councilman and majority leader, I have proven I am not afraid to ask the tough questions and I expect accountability from all departments and staff. I work across party lines in the best interest of Enfield, and I can make the hard choices in this tough economic climate, in the interest of all our residents. I am well versed in the town budgeting process, and I understand the extraordinary pressure we are under to not create an adverse financial condition for many thousands of our households. As a small business owner, I understand the challenges they face and am a strong advocate for a “business friendly town”, among all town departments and commissions/boards. I have 9 years of town council experience and proven leadership as past P&Z chairman, deputy mayor and chair of DPW subcommittee, chair of public safety subcommittee, liaison to high school fields committee, HS building committee, blight review, prison committee and North Central Health District.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

“Always make decisions that you can lay your head down at night and feel good about” (Joe Bosco, past District 1 councilman)

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

It was a privilege and honor to be asked by my best friend, Joe Bosco, to take his seat when he was no longer able to serve as District 1 councilman. At the time, I felt it was more important to spend as much time as I was able with him, personally. After his passing and a contentious debate by the current majority regarding who would fill the District 1 council seat, the overwhelming unanimous bipartisan support I received to fill his seat on the council, was humbling. Joe and I served together for many years previously on the council and I have done my best to continue his work in District 1 to the best of my abilities. I don’t claim to “fill the shoes” of Joe Bosco as I believe he is walking beside me, and it is my honor to serve my neighbors, family and friends in District 1.