Rafeena Bacchus Lee Running For Farmington Council 1st District

FARMINGTON, CT — Democrat Rafeena Bacchus Lee, 46, is running for Farmington Town Council 1st District in Farmington.

Occupation: Attorney

Husband Mark (46), Daughter (15, FHS Sophomore), Daughter (12, IAR 7th grader) and Son (10, West Woods 5th grader)

Experience: None

Family in government: No

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

As a result of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Farmington will receive millions of dollars in pandemic stimulus aid in 2022. The single most pressing issue facing our town is how to help residents who are still suffering the effects of the pandemic while strategically and equitably investing those relief funds for future growth and prosperity. If elected, I plan to work collaboratively with the other council members to identify the areas of need, whether it is closing the achievement gap in schools, funding for Wi-Fi hotspots, and providing capital for small businesses to reopen their doors and outreach and job skills training for workers (especially those in the restaurant/service industries hit hardest by the pandemic).

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

While some of the other candidates had the good fortune to be born and/or raised in Farmington, I moved here in 2009. Since then, and I've been involved in my children's schools and local civic organizations. I believe my experiences will add a fresh perspective and allow town council to make better decisions benefiting the community as a whole.

Accomplishments:

I am currently the co-chair of the Farmington Greater Together Funds Advisory Committee, a group of town residents charged with designing a grantmaking process and awarding $100, 000 received from the Hartford Foundation to local charitable organizations. Most recently, I was the co-chair of Comprehensive FHS, an advocacy organization dedicated to getting the high school building referendum passed. I am a longtime Farmington Public Schools volunteer, and a former president of East Farms PTO and a board member of Hill-Stead Museum and the Farmington Field Club.

Other issues:

I heard from numerous residents that they don't understand how town governance works. If elected, my focus will be on increased communication and engagement, and a more open recruitment process for town boards and committees and inclusion of more diverse voices and backgrounds in town governance.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I believe Farmington residents all want the same thing - a safe town with well-functioning institutions and an opportunity for our families to thrive. I look forward to working with all of you on our shared goal of creating a community that inspires and propels us forward.