2023 Greenwich Election Profile: Lauren Rabin 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

Lauren Rabin

How old will you be as of Election Day?

61

What city or town do you live in?

Greenwich

What office are you seeking?

Selectman

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

Town of Greenwich

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

Bachelor of Science, Business Management & Marketing

What is your occupation?

Marketing 30+ Years and Selectwoman ~4 Years

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

My husband David and I have been married for 34 years and have raised two sons and Greenwich Public School graduates. Scott is 33 and married to Yuriko. Eric is 30. I have two grandsons, Noah and Leo. Jay is my older brother, and Karen is my younger sister. My mother, Carol, is a resident of the Nathaniel Witherell.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Selectman (2019 to present), Board of Education (2015-2019), RTM (2011-2015), and Board of Human Services (2012-2015)

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?

To keep Greenwich a thriving and diverse community to live, raise a family, work, play and stay! Greenwich has so much to offer, and I remain committed to ensuring that all residents and businesses can access these resources and feel as though our government works for them. The role of Selectman on the 3-person Board of Selectmen is unique, with its primary responsibilities being the adoption of ordinances, nominations to Boards, Commissions, and Committees, Ombuds to citizens/government, settlement of claims, and traffic authority. Experience and public trust matter, and I humbly desire to offer my unique talents to serve the town where I grew up and raised my children.

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

The issue I hear most about from residents in all areas of our town is the amount of traffic and dangerous driving that impacts not only motorists' safety but pedestrians, cyclists, and any mode of transportation. Greenwich is just under 50 square miles of land; we have just over 63,000 residents, over 53,000 motor vehicles registered in our town, and over 30,000 jobs, less than 20% filled by town residents. Residential development (including 8-30g) proposals continue to advance. I will continue to support the work of The Selectmen's Active Transportation Task Force, meet directly with neighborhood associations to help our Department of Public Works identify, plan, and budget for solutions, and assist the Greenwich Police Department in identifying locations of concern by promoting the ability to report issues at trafficmatters@greenwichct.org.

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

Experience in the role, with my first term occurring during arguably the most challenging time. My ability to connect, collaborate, and compromise has helped me deal with many issues facing our residents and businesses, such as public safety, town and school infrastructure, affordable housing, and an aging population. The benefits of a 3-member board are that we work on projects or liaise with other boards and committees without duplicating effort. 40+ years working in high technology has sharpened my ability to adapt and problem-solve with agility, skills I can apply to any assignments in my next term.

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

As the BOS liaison to the Selectmen Nomination Advisory Committee (SNAC), continue to streamline the nomination process and data sharing between the BOS, Town Clerk, and RTM via a software solution. Working with the Chair of SNAC, the RTM Moderator, and the RTM Appointments Committee, offer onboarding & training to our Boards, Commissions, and committee members, focusing on communication & collaboration. As BOS liaison to the CMS Building Committee, ensure we build a school on time and within budget. As liaison to the Commission on Aging, continue to increase collaboration with all entities that serve our older residents. As BOS owner of our municipal Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), continue to track and adjust in areas if we do not meet our goals. As the BOS liaison to the Affordable Housing Trust Board (AHTB), continue to create solutions to offer more affordable housing, which, if more people who work in town can live here, can also help address our traffic issues.

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

My biggest accomplishment was raising my two children. I am incredibly proud to receive the New Lebanon PTA Immeasurable Service Award and the PTA Council Essence Award. Twelve different entities trusted me as their treasurer.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Always be kind.