Glastonbury 2023 Election: Jake McChesney, Town Council

GLASTONBURY, CT — Jake McChesney is running for the town council in Glastonbury.

Name

Jake McChesney

How old will you be as of Election Day?

38

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

https://www.glastonburydems.co...

What city or town do you live in?

Glastonbury, CT

What office are you seeking?

Town Council

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

Not applicable.

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education.

Bates College, B.A.; Pace University School of Law, J.D.

What is your occupation?

I work for the Office of the Attorney General as an attorney in its public safety unit. In this role, I work to protect the legal interests of our state’s public safety agencies and employees.

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

I have a wife, Claire, and two sons. Our oldest is almost 5 and our youngest is 2.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No one in my family works for the town government.

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

I served on the Town Planning & Zoning Commission from 2017-2019. Since 2019, I have served on Town Council.

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 believe strongly in public service and the importance of giving back to your community. I also love our town and want to see it thrive. My family set roots in Glastonbury for its excellent schools, open spaces and small-town feel. I believe that maintaining these qualities while wisely managing town finances will ensure Glastonbury remains an excellent place to live, work, and raise a family. This is what I have always strived to do in my service as a Town Council member.

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

While we have a myriad of issues every year that rise to the top of importance, for me the constant issue that is always on my mind is our tax burden. A fair and reasonable tax burden is essential for Glastonbury's continued success. We must always focus our yearly budgeting on necessary spending and smart investments for our future. Funding our education system and our essential services are, in my opinion, important. As is paying our pension obligations on schedule and maintaining our AAA bond rating. Every year I strive to balance these obligations with the realities of inflationary pressures, with the ultimate goal of minimizing the tax impact on our citizens. I will continue to do so.

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

I will focus on myself in answering this question, and my personal approach to addressing issues as a Town Council member. I am a fiscally moderate democrat and value open discourse. While every election year brings partisan posturing, I have always strived to work with all of my colleagues and community members in a respectful and levelheaded manner. I will continue to do so moving forward.

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

I currently serve on Town Council.

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

Related to the tax issue I discussed previously, we must encourage the growth of businesses in town and control residential development through public land purchases. This is partly why I championed apportioning some of our federal COVID relief funds toward assisting local small businesses that had been impacted by the pandemic. I have also supported public land purchases, not just to preserve open space in our community, but to help prevent unsustainable development that would drive up town operational costs.
Glastonbury is also a growing community. As we remain one of the most desirable communities in the greater Hartford area, this growth will continue. This has brought a vibrancy to our downtown and has benefited our tax base, but it has also, at times, threatened the unique charms of our community. We must continue to preserve our green spaces. We must ensure that future development maintains the character, charm, and history of our community, and protect our historical structures. We must preserve our agricultural heritage and protect our working farms and orchards. These goals can be accomplished by continuing to purchase open land for preservation and public use, pushing back against developers where needed and establishing appropriate zoning regulations, and ensuring that our local farmers have the support and ability to adapt and survive in an evolving industry. This is why I have supported, for instance, the creation of a village district in the town center, the adoption of town design standards, the preservation of local farmland (like Rose’s Berry Farm), and the apportionment of federal funds towards disaster relief for our local farmers.

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

I have had the privilege these past several years of serving as town council’s liaison to our local chamber of commerce. In this role, I try to keep our local business community apprised of noteworthy town developments and facilitate town assistance with local business issues as much as I can. I also championed allocating some of or federal COVID relief dollars toward grants to our local small businesses that had been impacted by the pandemic to assist with their recovery and growth.
During my time on Town Council, I have focused on passing budgets that have remained below the rate of inflation while funding necessary expenditures and maintaining our excellent AAA bond rating. I have worked to preserve our open spaces and agricultural heritage through our land purchasing program and the acquisition of development rights. Finally, I have supported measures to safeguard our small town feel and historic character through adoption of a village district and creation of town design guidelines. I have also supported efforts to increase affordable housing options in town, through both zoning requirements and partnership with the Housing Authority to develop housing that would meet the needs of our community and fit with the character of the town.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Think (and listen) before you speak.

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

It has been a privilege and an honor to serve this town for the past half decade. We are a truly vibrant and caring community. I hope to have your support on November 7.