James F. Walsh Running For Fairfield Board Of Finance

FAIRFIELD, CT — It's election season in Fairfield, and Patch is here to help you get to know the candidates running for local office in 2021 before voters head to the polls Nov. 2.

Questionnaire responses appear as submitted by candidates.

Republican James F. Walsh, 57, is running for Fairfield Board of Finance in Fairfield.

Occupation: Attorney

Family: One son: College Senior, ROTC Candidate.

Experience: Current Board of Finance Member (2012 to Present); Former Selectman (2010 to 2012); Former RTM Member (1999 to 2010)

Family in government: No.

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

The single most pressing issue facing our town is how to keep Fairfield affordable to our taxpayers, while at the same time delivering the high quality services and first rate education system our community expects and deserves. Complicating this issue are some very expensive projects that are on the horizon, namely:

1. the cleanup of numerous contaminated sites around Town, including the possible reconstruction of the Penfield Pavilion, caused by the alleged illegal acts of both private companies/vendors and a few former Town employees that is estimated to cost our Town in excess of $30 million;

2. providing air conditioning in our schools which the school system Administration is estimating to cost $100 million; and,

3. a major reconstruction of our Sewer Treatment Facility that is estimated to cost $50 - $75 million.

While all of these projects are needed, some may have to take priority because of Federal and State laws/regulations. The issue is going to be prioritizing them and determining what other well deserving projects we are going to have push off in the meantime. What I plan on doing is what I have done for the last 20 years on the RTM, as a Selectman and on the Board of Finance, thoroughly vetting each project to find cost savings, find efficiencies in through the budgeting process to allow us to pay for these projects and to keep our tax increases near or below the rate of inflation. This is not easy work and requires a thorough knowledge of Town operations and finances and a dedication to ask tough questions of our management and make difficult decisions that are not always popular. However, and we cannot allow this Town to become unaffordable for our residents. I was honored to work on the the Senior Tax Relief Committee in the past year in order to find ways to keep our seniors and disabled taxpayers in Town.

Other issues:

1. Control the rate of spending growth;

2. Invest prudently in education and public safety;

3. Advocate for long term strategic planning;

4. Maintain Fairfield's AAA Bond Rating;

5. Continue to restore transparency to Town government; and and

6. Support cost saving governmental reforms.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

Experience. I grew up in Fairfield and went to its public schools. Having received a BS in Finance from Boston College, a law degree from Quinnipiac University, worked in financial positions at two (2) Fortune 100 companies, was a partner in a Fairfield law firm, currently employed as General Counsel at a national restaurant group and having served for the last 22 years in elected office as a Selectman, RTM member and currently on the Board of Finance, I believe my business acumen and institutional knowledge of the operations of the Town, and its finances and management gives me an experience level to be a highly effective member of the Board of Finance and advocate for the residents of Fairfield.

Accomplishments:

Having held past positions in finance at several Fortune 100 companies, been a partner in Fairfield law firm and currently General Counsel for a national restaurant group, together with my current position on the Board of Finance and past positions as a Selectman and RTM member, and I feel as though I have the business/legal acumen and institutional knowledge of the Town operations and finances to continue to be a asset on the Board of Finance and advocate for the the residents of Fairfield.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I grew up in Fairfield and went to its public schools. After getting my education and I decided to raise my son in Fairfield. I wanted him to receive the same quality education and feel the warm sense of community that I was blessed with growing up in our beautiful Town. I owe this Town a great deal for all that it has given me in my life and feel compelled to give back my time and talents in helping it move into the future for others to continue to enjoy.