Greenwich Candidate Profile: Pragati Soni 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.

Pragati Soni, 39, is running for election to Greenwich's Representative Town Meeting (District 2). Soni has worked as a financial technology professional for 15 years.

A Cos Cob resident, she is married with two young daughters.

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.

In my opinion, all our town issues merit attention. But we must not lose a handle on spending side either. Let me give you a personal example. I moved to this town in 2012 to raise a family because of two key attractions – lower property taxes and great school system.

To me, improvement in one cannot be done at a total neglect of other. I will advocate for a more goal-oriented and data-driven budget review process to maximize the return we get from our spending.

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

Both as a technology professional on large teams for 15 years and a mother of two young girls, I have learned that best outcomes are achieved when people are open to ideas and information that challenge and potentially change their preconceived notions on issues. I am certain that I will add a new collaborative voice to our town's RTM body.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Re-inventing Greenwich Avenue in the age of e-commerce, traffic bottlenecks, soil contamination in public playgrounds are some of the many other issues that need to be looked at with urgency.

The best advice ever shared with me was...

Rather than fighting on positions, understand everyone’s interests and find negotiated solutions that integrate those interests.

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

We need collaborative and pragmatic problem solving. I will listen to as many diverse voices both within the RTM and from all of you to find common ground. This might sound as a pie in the sky but becoming mother of two young kids made me realize that you can do almost anything when the village stands with you.