Patch Candidate Profile: Christine Brown, RTM District 9

FAIRFIELD, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in Fairfield will be on the ballot, including Board of Selectman, Board of Education, Board of Finance, RTM and others.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 7, Fairfield Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on various topics of importance in town.

Patch will post these candidate profiles over the next few weeks, so check back often to see the latest.

Name

Christine Brown

How old will you be as of Election Day?

62

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

https://www.fairfielddemocrats.com

What city or town do you live in?

Fairfield

What office are you seeking?

Representative Town Meeting Member

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

District 9 (votes at Sherman School)

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education.

Skidmore College, B.S. Business and French

What is your occupation?

Business Manager, Black Rock Pilates, 8 yrs.

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

I'm married to Rick Brown and we have two children, both graduates of Fairfield Public Schools.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

I currently serve on the RTM, having first been elected in 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?

I’m enthusiastically running for re-election because I’ve really enjoyed the last two years as a member of the RTM and think I’ve made valuable contributions. I’ve lived in Fairfield for 26 years and have always been an active volunteer in the community. Through my volunteer work with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, a gun violence prevention group, I learned just how powerful ordinary citizens can be when they organize to effect change, and that spurred my political activism. In the last two years, I’ve aimed to be an informed and engaged representative for my district. Having climbed the steep learning curve of local government, I feel I can be even more effective in shaping Fairfield’s future in a second term.

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

Fairfield has become unaffordable for many, including young people looking to move here to raise their family, or retirees hoping to stay in the town they love. A primary duty of RTM members is to approve the town budget, and I take seriously the job of providing excellent municipal services within a tax framework that can be supported by our community.

I railed against the proposed 6% budget increase two years ago, and voted against additional funding for a parks project when the administration “accidentally” overspent their budget. The $25 million of federal Covid relief funds we used for flood mitigation, police equipment, and other capital projects was a one-time deal. We’re now going to have to make some hard choices, especially with significant expenditures coming down the pike including a major sewer system replacement. I’ll continue to support strong funding for our public education system, the jewel that brought so many of us here in the first place, as well as increased services for seniors, while advocating for strong financial controls across the board.

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

I show up and I do the work, as evidenced by my 100% attendance record at last term’s 35 RTM meetings. I’m a moderate and a calm, rational voice who is here to solve problems and listen to any good idea. The RTM Democratic caucus is a diverse group with a broad array of perspectives on town issues. We aren’t expected to vote as a monolith and I take seriously my responsibility to do the research, be prepared, and vote in a way that respects my constituents.

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

Flooding and Climate Resilience - I voted to ensure $100,000 was included in the Penfield proposal for a climate resilience study, and I will continue to press for answers from the administration on the feasibility of the Pavilion rebuild project.

Traffic and Speeding - I am a proud co-sponsor of Rep. Bill Gerber’s “Safe Streets” ordinance which will ensure that improvements to our roadway infrastructure are designed not only for cars, but also for the safety and convenience of pedestrians and bikers.

Noise - I voted in support of the recent Noise Ordinance updates which added daytime restrictions and enforcement abilities so that residents can work from home and enjoy their property without intrusion.

I’ve represented neighborhood concerns at meetings about the sewage treatment plant digester failure, and belong to the Southport neighbors’ advocacy group fighting the UI Monopole project.

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

I had a successful management career with IBM and have held leadership positions in organizations ranging from the PTA to my church’s governing board. Those experiences taught me how to listen, research and synthesize information to make the best decisions.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Leave the world a better place than you found it.

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

Our Representative Town Meeting form of government depends on an engaged citizenry. As an independent thinker who strongly values honesty and integrity, I hope to set an example of civil discourse and active participation.

I've had the good fortune to live in several other states as well as other towns in CT. Those experiences have given me a broad perspective as well as ideas Fairfield can replicate to address some of our local concerns.