Enfield Candidate Profile: Town Council, District 2

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 will be publishing candidate profiles each weekday as election day draws near.

Democrat Bob Cressotti is running for re-election to the Enfield Town Council, representing District 2. He is being challenged for that seat by Republican Kelly Hemmeler.

Names: Bob Cressotti ("BC"); Kelly Hemmeler ("KH")

Ages (as of Sept. 1, 2019): BC - 61; KH - unanswered

Position sought: Enfield Town Council, District 2

Party affiliation: BC - Democrat; KH - Republican

Family: BC - wife Marilyn, daughters Jamie, Abbie and Samantha, son Bryan, son-in-law Paul, grandchildren Sage, Eden, Hannah, Joey and Jimmy; KH - Married - 2 children

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government: BC - no; KH - no

Education: BC - Windsor Locks High School, BS Education - ECSU, MS Secondary Math - ECSU, 6th level - University of New England, Maine; KH - AS Degree in Accounting

Occupation: BC - 38 years teaching in the Enfield Public Schools, 15 years academic tutor currently at Enfield Alternative Education Program, 30 year JV and varsity coaching at EHS and EFHS, 15 years faculty manager/AD at JFK Middle School; KH - Business Owner of KH Bookkeeping Service, 15 years

Previous or current elected or appointed office: BC - current District 2 councilor; KH - Chairman Tax Appeals Board, Inlands/ Wetlands Commissioner, Former Thompsonville Fire Commissioner, Trustee/ Treasurer Cornerstone Church, Board member for Little Sisters of the Poor, Enfield Food Shelf, Opera House Players, Vice Chair Republican Town Committee

The single most pressing issue facing Enfield is:
BC - Economic Development and Affordable Housing is a pressing issue in Thompsonville. Millennials and Senior citizens need to have accessible amenities in walking distance or through public transportation. The Train Station Platform is key and CT River Access Program is important for the revitalization of the area. We need to demolish properties and redevelop areas in town. The TIF Master Plan that we have recent adopted will assist in making this possible and we need to develop the mall area to bring funds for the revitalization of the Thompsonville area as well as make all of the entries into our town be beautified and welcoming. The importance of our seniors, veterans, and citizens with disabilities are a priority and services provided for these residents are a priority. Also, Community Policing is vital to District 2. The Opioid Epidemic and safety of our residents are issues to be dealt with daily.
KH - We should continue to improve our business friendly environment which will bring more jobs, expand our tax roles and increase our grand list.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:
BC - Lower Taxes, Senior Services, Lower Sewer Fees, Improve Schools - the facility, Improve Education for our Youth.
KH - Strong Municipal Leadership:

• We maintained our town's bond rating at AA stabilizing our long term debt despite an $8 million dollar cut by Gov. Malloy to our municipal funding.
• We funded the elderly tax credit ($750,000) after the state cut the funding, thus helping 600 Enfield Seniors pay their property taxes.
• We implemented a 12-month budgeting process to review the budget line-by-line.
• We implemented "sinking funds" to have the funding streams needed to maintain our buildings rather than needing yearly referendums.
• We increased our collection of unpaid taxes to 98 percent and focused on getting back taxes paid and collected $700,000 of unpaid sewer fees last year alone.
• We installed cameras and increased police presence in town.
• We have modified and updated our zoning regulations and added a Blight Board to move blighted properties back onto the tax rolls.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job:
BC - District 2 Councilman for 2+ years including all of the new initiatives that I brought forward to the Town Council and the Commissions. Minority Leader Democratic Caucus, Campaign Manager for the 58th District 2018, Member of the Opioid Task Force, Member of Mayor's Advisory Council, Enfield Together Coalition Management Team, Member Commission on Aging, JFK Building Committee Liaison, Joint Facilities Committee, Water Pollution Control Commission, Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, Member of Leisure Service Committee Cultural Arts Committee, Member KITE, Member of First Readers, Active Volunteer - Loaves and Fishes, Enfield Food Shelf, Shop Rite Bag For Hunger, Rachel's Challenge Club, SOCT Enfield Allied Stars, Member of the CT and National Coach's Association, Owner Cressotti Baseball School, Supporter of Opera House Players, Mexican Americano Group, Veterans associations in Enfield and all celebrations, remembrances and events, Wreaths Across America, Cookies for Camouflage, etc.
KH - I have financial experience including budgeting. I have a degree in accounting, I am treasurer/trustee for Cornerstone Church of CT. I currently have 52 small business accounting clients, some in Enfield. I am serving on Enfield Tax Appeals Board, as chairwoman for the last three years. I was a fire commissioner in Thompsonville and I am a commissioner on Inlands and Wetlands.

The best advice ever shared with me was:
BC - To make sure you answer all of your constituents' phone calls and emails as quickly as possible, making sure you sincerely follow through.
KH - You can achieve anything if you work hard. - my dad

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions:
BC - I sincerely believe in every committee and commission of which I am a member. It is my honor and pleasure to serve the citizens of Enfield and to help make our town the best it can be for all to live here. I am and will be an active listener to all of the residents of District 2 - listening to their needs, concerns and priorities, and am passionate about the town of Enfield where I am lucky enough to reside. I vow to do what is right for all the citizens of Enfield. With the collection of data, I will strive to put forth a 3 year plan with measurable goals, objectives, outcomes, and results. We need to work together as a TEAM and have a positive outlook and vision for Enfield.
KH - I've been volunteering in the community for 12 years. I love our town and look forward to serving. Please vote for me on November 5th.