2023 Greenwich Election Profile: Janet Stone McGuigan For Board Of Selectmen

GREENWICH, CT — Election Day on Nov. 7 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Greenwich.

Patch reached out to candidates for local office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the town.

Name

Janet Stone McGuigan

How old will you be as of Election Day?

55

What city or town do you live in?

Old Greenwich

What office are you seeking?

Selectman

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education.

BS/BA civil engineering and economic, Cornell; MPP public policy Harvard Kennedy School

What is your occupation?

incumbent Greenwich Selectperson since 2021

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

Married to Peter, who was born in Greenwich and graduated from Greenwich High School. Two sons, also Greenwich High School graduates.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Greenwich Selectman (2021-present), RTM member for D6 (2019-21)

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?

It was my unwavering support for our public schools that started me on the path to local leadership, and given my background and experience it made the most sense to pursue a seat on the Board of Selectmen. I have worked as an environmental policy researcher and mediator on large federal regulatory negotiations, and written policy papers for the European Commission. These qualifications have indeed served me well. I’ve had a front row seat to the contentious debates to renovate our schools and adequately invest in our gem of a Town and my commitment to serving our community in this manner has only grown.

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

The race for the Board of Selectmen – the Town’s executive body – is important. More than a parade brigade (fun as that is), most of the Selectmen’s work is administrative, but decisions with potentially big impacts on local life are in the balance.

The Selectmen make legal decisions on behalf of the Town, of which there are many. The Selectmen nominate candidates to the 22 appointed bodies overseeing the lion’s share of Town governance; most of the time this is easy, but not always – witness the recent debate over nominations to the Nathaniel Witherell board and CMS building committee - I kept the interests of the Greenwich community foremost.

The Selectmen serve as the fire and police commission supporting our most essential services, and local traffic and parking authority - hugely impactful on daily life. The Selectmen are responsible for putting forward ordinances, such as the fair rent commission ordinance I put forward that otherwise would have been overlooked.

The Selectmen are the faces of Greenwich. As such they need to exemplify our community values. Last year in the debate over a climate resolution, I championed the efforts of our local high school students to see this passed.

In the recent debate over the Town flag policy I spoke out to make sure our inclusive values and cherished traditions were honored.

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

Simple: unwavering support for our schools, services and sustainability.

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

The Board of Selectmen would benefit from greater transparency and more public discussion. I’ve worked to introduce discussions that otherwise might be ignored, for example the aforementioned fair rent commission. For the sake of public notice and feedback I’d continue to insist on second reads before voting.

As a Selectperson I serve as the co-chair of the Greenwich Sustainability Committee (GSC) and liaison to the Energy Management Advisory Committee (EMAC), Harbor Management Commission (HMC) and the Old Greenwich School and Julian Curtiss School Building Committees. If given more support, the GSC, EMAC, and the Active Transportation Task Force (on which I’m a regular attendee) could really move the needle to make Greenwich more sustainable and safer. On behalf of the HMC I helped get approval to dredge Greenwich Harbor (last done 50 years ago), then helped secure funding from the US Army Corps of Engineers to test the dredge material, the next step in the dredging process; I can help this project progress.

We must fix our schools and the school building committees have devoted countless hours to this task; it is critical the Board of Selectmen give them the support they need and deserve.

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

The Town lacks an articulated vision. The annual planning and budget process should be driven by an overall vision that reflects our forward-thinking community. Many existing plans are really frameworks (e.g. the POCD, a land use plan done every ten years), or stop short of a plan of action (e.g. the Open Space Plan). The current budget process is backward, giving the departments an allowance and making them decide what can be funded. I’d like to help empower them and appointed bodies like EMAC to be part of a vision process. As a former policy mediator, I have the qualifications and experience to help.

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

As a past board member of the LWV Greenwich, PTA Council and a sustainer advisor on the Junior League of Greenwich, I have learned firsthand the power of organizational training and commitment to best practices. In my time on the Board of Selectmen, though it isn’t always easy I say what needs to be said to make sure decisions are balanced, fair and all perspectives are heard. Temperamentally I am well suited to this office, and I run on my record of civil discourse and discretion.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

When I first moved to Greenwich, a new friend pulled me aside and told me to say "yes" to everything for one year. Seventeen years later I'm still saying "yes"!

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

I’m not a natural politician, but I am a natural servant leader. I’m committed to good governance, transparency, and public engagement. I want our Town government to reflect our inclusive and forward-thinking community. It has been an honor and privilege to serve the Greenwich community.