Patch Candidate Profile: Jim Meyers, Board Of Finance

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

Jim Meyers

How old will you be as of Election Day?

55

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

https://www.fairfieldrtc.com/bof-candidates

What city or town do you live in?

Fairfield

What office are you seeking?

Board of Finance

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

n/a

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

Certified Public Accountant in CT; BBA in Accounting/Finance University of Notre Dame; Fairfield Prep graduate

What is your occupation?

Chief Financial Officer at Horizon Paper Company in Stamford CT; over 30+ years of experience in finance/accounting

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

My wife Sharon is a Fairfield Public School teacher. My daughter Lindsey and two sons Chris & Jeff, are all products of the 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 in district 8, and I am a member of the RTM’s Finance sub-committee

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 was looking for a volunteer opportunity. I never once thought I would get involved in politics. I was reading Brenda Kupchick’s weekly newsletter and was impressed with how much she was working on, and so I starting looking into ways I could join the hundreds of other volunteers who help make this town so special. After serving on the RTM, I thought the Board of Finance would be a better fit for my skills.

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

…the need for Fairfield to continuously plan for growth so that we can ensure our infrastructure and tax base can absorb the growing costs. I intend to work with all departments in town, and the Board of Education, to ensure we are properly prioritizing capital spending, while meeting the needs of all residents, not just the loudest.

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

One of the major differences between me and the other candidates is that I am a Certified Public Accountant and a Chief Financial Officer. The skillset I bring to the Board of Finance is critical as I will be interacting with the town’s Chief Financial Officer on a regular basis and can act as a sounding board and share best practices, in addition to monitoring the annual operating budget and long term capital projects.

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

Affordability, affordability, affordability…This is what I have been preaching throughout the campaign, and #1 issue I hear from our residents. We have to ensure that young people can afford to move into Fairfield and buy a house, like my wife and I did after college, and seniors can afford to stay in their homes for as long as they are able, like my dad and in-laws.

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

I have over 30+ years working in a financial capacity, whether it was as an auditor testing the financial controls of fortune 100 companies, as a consultant to small & large companies looking for ways to modernize their systems, or being the trusted and loyal right-hand Chief Financial Officer to some of the best Chief Executive Officers. In all of these roles, I have worked tirelessly to help grow businesses and maintain costs.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

“Do the right thing, even when nobody is looking.”

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

I believe in compromise and collaboration. I believe in listening to all the facts, being open-minded, doing objective analysis and then determining the best solution. I am thankful that my parents chose to live in Fairfield and that I have been able to live and raise my family in this special town. If given your vote, I promise to do my best to continue to improve Fairfield for generations to come.