Greenwich 2023 Election Profile: Harry Fisher For BET

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

Harry Fisher

How old will you be as of Election Day?

70

What city or town do you live in?

Greenwich

What office are you seeking?

Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET)

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

Town-wide office

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

I have a BA in Economics from Cornell University. I am a lifelong resident of Greenwich with a long history of volunteer service in town government and at Christ Church.

What is your occupation?

Entrepreneur after thirty years in the investment advisory business.

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

One daughter, 26, who lives and works in Greenwich.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

RTM 1985 -1991, Chairman of District 10 for four years, BET 1992-1997, ending as Vice Chairman when my daughter was born. Appointed to fill vacancies on the BET in 2021, and again in 2022.

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 have the time and energy to devote to continuing to serve the residents of Greenwich. I have a deep knowledge of the finances of the town. I believe I am an effective member of the BET and wish to be elected to a full term.

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

The single most pressing issue facing the residents of Greenwich is maintaining the town's low tax rate in the face of increasing operating and capital needs. Republicans have a well-established track record over many decades of doing just that, and we will continue to have a disciplined approach to spending, and borrowing for capital projects.

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

Democrats want to increase spending on operating and capital budgets, burdening the taxpayers with higher taxes over the short and long terms.

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

It is important to vote for all Republicans running for the BET as the party with the most total votes gets to choose the Chairman, who has a tie breaking vote. We have been responsible in exercising that vote and wish to continue to hold the chair.

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

As Chairman of the BET Audit Committee I have focused on the financial problems of Nathaniel Witherell. I will continue to work on those issues with the Board of TNW to ensure financial success and to help maintain it as a premiere institution for our elderly.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Honesty, respect and openness are critical to success.

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

Democrats argue for increased and longer term bonding of capital projects. That would require greater operational resources, employing more people in government. It also would overly burden future generations. I will work to maintain the disciplined approach to keeping bonding to the current 5 to 7 year practice that has served the town well over the last twenty years.