Enfield Candidate Profile: Matt Despard, 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: Matt Despard

How old will you be as of Election Day? 40

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? Enfield Town Council

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here: District 3

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: Master's Degree in Psychology, Addiction Counselor Certification

What is your occupation? Mental Health Counselor - 10 years

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

My beautiful wife Danielle Patterson who works in Information Technology at a Hartford law firm

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

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

Enfield Town Council 2021-2023

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 wish to continue in my role as an Enfield town councilor because I care deeply about this community and I want to make a positive impact on the lives of its residents. I have a strong sense of civic duty and want to help shape the future of this town, address local issues, and advocate for the needs of residents. I believe my commitment to public service and my ability to build consensus make me an effective and dedicated town councilor.

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

The most pressing issue facing my constituents lies at the intersection of quality of life and affordability, and this is what I intend to do about it: As your representative, I am committed to addressing these issues by implementing policies that promote an affordable Enfield, improve access to town services and education, and stimulate economic growth. I will continue to work towards creating initiatives that increase opportunities, enhance resident experience, and support local businesses. Additionally, I will advocate for measures to lower the cost of living, such as tax reforms and efficient resource allocation. Together, we can strive for a better quality of life and make our community more affordable for everyone.

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

The key distinction between my opponent and me is our respective economic and educational philosophies. I am in favor of increased funding for education in Enfield, as it would not only create more opportunities for learners, but also generate better results and draw new households to the area, boosting our tax base. On the other hand, my opponent and the Republican party are advocating for the policy of flat funding for education as a way to minimize taxes in the short run, without taking into consideration any long-term strategies or solutions. This approach has been attempted in Enfield multiple times with no success.
My economic philosophy is one of fiscal responsibility, proper savings and planning, and judicious budgeting. My opponent and the Republican party, however, are proponents of artificially minimizing taxes in the short term, which often yields inadequate funding in the long run. This type of ideology has caused excessive indebtedness and expensive capital projects that have required Enfield residents to approve what equates to multiple credit card loans of tens of millions of dollars through referendums. It is evident that this is not a viable option. We should be saving and budgeting for capital projects on an annual basis, rather than having to resort to taking on excessive debt just to maintain an illusion of affordability.

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

I am the current office holder. However, I would like to point out that my opponent has declined an invitation to attend a local debate-style forum to express our divergent opinions and visions for Enfield.

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

At the end of the day this election boils down to what type of Enfield do you want to live in? Do you want to live in an Enfield that is vibrant and has sustainable plans for its future, with well-funded education, a thriving economy, and equitable policies? Or do you prefer a return to an Enfield that is stuck in neutral, with flat-funded budgets, regressive policies, and a lack of strategic and sustainable planning? Do you want to choose an Enfield that is taking steps towards the future, or one that is relying on short-term fixes to create the illusion of affordability, but ultimately building up a mountain of debt?
If you want to live in the former then I implore you to vote Row A on Tuesday, November 7th.

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

Over the last two years, I have worked hard to improve our town. My accomplishments include: creating a senior volunteer tax credit program, expanding the senior tax credit program, repealing the billion dollar cannabis industry ban, which will generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in new tax revenue, adopting PA490 status to protect open spaces, investing in essential sewer/water infrastructure, making significant investments in roads and bridges, creating a relief fund to support small businesses and nonprofits, increasing funding for education, offering competitive salaries to teachers and town employees, modernizing recreational spots like Higgins Park and its bandshell, which hosted the first Enfield Concert Series, and beginning to modernize our elementary schools. I have also made myself highly available to my constituents by always responding to calls, texts, and emails, and holding monthly office hours at Fermi/Annex.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"Listen more than you speak. And if you don't know, say you don't know"

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

I am a product of Enfield. I have a deep love for this town and for all it has done to shape me into the man I am today. It is this love and the gratitude I feel that guide me.