Fairfield Candidate Profile: Mary LeClerc For Board Of Finance

FAIRFIELD, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Fairfield and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

Mary LeClerc is running for the Board of Finance as a Republican. LeClerc has over 35 years experience as a certified public accountant and has served on the Board of Finance for 18 years.

Are you running for office in Fairfield? Contact Anna Bybee-Schier at anna.bybee-schier@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Fairfield Patch.

Candidate responses appear as they were received and have not been edited by Patch staff.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The top financial issue is taxes. Fairfield's challenge is to continue providing excellent schools, services that residents expect, and properly maintaining Town buildings and property. We must carefully manage our budget to keep taxes to a minimum, grow our grand list, implement our strategic plan and plan for future capital expenditures. I will continue to strive to control taxes through slowing the Town's rate of spending growth. As a Board member, I have been adamant that our budget is balanced, projected revenue is realistic, and the Town's Pension Plan is fully funded. I have fought to improve our undesignated fund balance by understanding the importance it holds in maintaining Fairfield's financial stability and coveted AAA bond rating. I will advocate prudent investment in our infrastructure by properly maintaining our buildings, facilities and roads. I have addressed our schools space issues and worked to improve security, technology, eliminate portable classrooms, and proactively maintaining our Town and school buildings.

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

I am experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated. I have 35 years of professional experience as a CPA and 18 years experience serving on the Board of Finance.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

As a CPA I will require accountability and transparency from our Town administrators. Revaluation will be an issue this year. The loss of GE and decline of real estate values will shift the tax burden. We need to improve our assistance to our seniors to keep them in Fairfield.

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

I am very proud of my legacy of working to improve fiscal responsibility while maintaining high quality schools and Town services, and implementing long term financial planning.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

"Follow your heart, and always do what you think is best for the Town of Fairfield" was the advice given to me by Carl Dickman.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

After graduating from Fairfield University, my husband Bryan and I chose Fairfield to live and raise our family. I have been a Fairfield resident and homeowner for over 30 years. My other community activities include serving on the Fairfield Board of Assessment Appeals for 2 years; Connecticut Yankee Council Boy Scouts - current Treasurer; Fairfield Republican Town Committee - Member since 2001; Mill Plain Improvement Society - past treasurer; Fairfield Ludlowe High School PTA - past Treasurer and VP of Fundraising and former member of Riverfield and RLMS PTAs.