Patch Candidate Profile: Karen Wackerman, 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

Karen Wackerman

How old will you be as of Election Day?

66

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

https://www.facebook.com/searc...

What city or town do you live in?

Fairfield

What office are you seeking?

District 9 Representative to Fairfield's RTM

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

District 9

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education.

BA, Smith College and JD, Brooklyn Law School, cum laude

What is your occupation?

Lawyer - 35 years of private practice in NY and CT firms

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

I have 2 children, ages 31 and 35, both of whom live in New York City.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No one besides me.

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

I have been an RTM representative for 8 years. Years ago, I was appointed to the Wilton, CT Inland Wetlands Commission.

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 love Fairfield and want to work to make it the safest, most well-run town possible. Fiscal responsibility, excellent schools, safe streets and environmental stewardship are very important issues to me.

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

Safety - including coastal resiliency and safe streets that allow beach and other residents to safely walk and bike in Fairfield. For coastal resiliency, I will press the town to do the study that was promised in connection with the approval of the Penfield Pavilion construction and I will support other studies and fact-based proposals that help to protect our coastline. For safe streets, I will support the ordinance that has been proposed to the RTM by Representative Bill Gerber, which we will vote on at our October meeting. The ordinance will require the town to consider the safety of all users of streets - cars, bicyclists, pedestrians, the handicapped - in planning any street projects.

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

I have 8 years of experience as an RTM member, including 2 years as majority leader and 2 years as moderator. It takes some time to learn about the workings of town government before an RTM member can really be effective. My experience makes me capable for hitting the ground running after the election. I am also an attorney. Since the RTM does not have its own attorney, RTM members who are attorneys often need to help with drafting ordinances and considering other legal matters, which I am happy to do.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I am not comfortable criticizing anyone personally. I suggest that voters look at what the Republican incumbents have accomplished compared to the accomplishments of the Democratic incumbents. Voters will see that the Democratic RTM members have been working hard to make Fairfield even better.

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

Genuine transparency, ethical behavior and careful financial stewardship are sorely needed in town. As an RTM member I will continue to insist on this.

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

I have been a practicing attorney for 35 years, experience which helps a great deal in reviewing ordinances and the Town charter and drafting new ordinances. My experience on the RTM has included working with other sponsors in the RTM to draft ordinances, including in this past term the creation of the Fairfield Arts Commission and the Fairfield Fair Rent Commission.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

You can get more accomplished by working collaboratively.