Greenwich Candidate Profile: Cathy Lewis Whitaker For RTM

GREENWICH, CT — Election day in Greenwich is getting closer and there are plenty of candidates running for various positions in town. To help residents make an informed decision on Nov. 5, Greenwich Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as the big day draws near.

Cathy Lewis Whitaker is running for election to Greenwich's Representative Town Meeting (District 5). A Riverside resident, she works as an attorney.

Whitaker has been married to her husband, Kent, for 34 years. They have six children, all of whom went to Greenwich schools and graduated from Greenwich High School.

Are you running for office in Greenwich? Contact RJ Scofield at rj.scofield@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Greenwich Patch.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

There isn't one single issue. Greenwich is a great town. I am fifth generation here and I want to do my small part to pay it back for all that it has meant to my family.

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

I have known Greenwich my whole life. I have seen the town change and have seen what bad governance in Hartford can wreak in the state. I didn't just move here for as long as Greenwich is how i like it. I am committed to the town. I want to make sure Greenwich stays Greenwich but also adjusts to the 2000's, with modern services and schools even better than those we have. I know that with good decision-making, we can do that without saddling ourselves with massive long-term debt or higher taxes.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

I am very motivated to not acquire the long-term obligations that are crippling Connecticut, and am equally invested in making sure property taxes do not go up and property values do. We don't want to be another generic New York suburb, but want to keep our low (lower than Westchester) property taxes.

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

I am a lawyer and mother of six. I can multi-task, and can keep the unimportant distractions in perspective and focus on what is critical. I don't like wasting time on endless talk or argument. I want to make decisions and get things done.

The best advice ever shared with me was...

Listen with an open mind.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

If elected, I will do my best for Greenwich.