Greenwich Candidate Profile: Paul Herman 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.

Paul Herman is running for election to Greenwich's Representative Town Meeting (District 5). He has lived in Riverside for 25 years with his wife, Diane, where they raised three children who attended Greenwich public schools.

Herman has worked as a managing director servicing institutional clients in financial services fixed income for over 30 years. He previously worked as a public accountant in the tax and audit department for five years. He is licensed as a certified public accountant and chartered financial analyst.

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.

Budgetary challenges due to declining property values and the state's poor fiscal policies have highlighted how important it is to strike the correct balance of budgetary discipline, while at the same time funding expenditures and capital development projects needed to maintain and improve our town's services. This is critical in continuing to attract young families seeking a community to call home, and can only be accomplished through rational evaluation of needs, economics, and prioritization of expenditures.

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

I believe that as a CPA and CFA I will be able to look through a non-partisan lens, rationally evaluate issues, and arrive at solutions that enrich our diverse community while demanding smart budgetary discipline in the process.

I have raised my children through both the Greenwich public school system, as well as private school, and have an appreciation of the many factors that go into the public/private choice for residents. I will bring a diverse perspective when weighing decisions affecting our town's educational funding and capital priorities.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Quality education is one of the most important factors in attracting residents, and we should prioritize allocation of financial resources to teachers, technology, and innovative instruction, to enhance outcomes for all district students. We need thoughtful capital development that provides for 21st century needs, while at the same time preserving our town's character.

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

My career as a manager in a financial services investment bank has provided me with the experience of dealing with strong personalities that are at times adversarial. I have always been able to listen, evaluate issues thoughtfully, and deal with colleagues in an equitable and respectful way. I intend to follow the same principles as a member of the RTM.

The best advice ever shared with me was...

Engage by not always speaking, but through listening, and be open to new ideas and opinions.

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

Our town is in an enviable position by offering its residents a community defined by quality education, community services, cultural richness, recreation, and beauty. Let's continue to cherish those qualities, and preserve them for ourselves and future generations through smart policy.