Groton Candidate Profile: Bruce Flax for Town Council

GROTON, CT — Groton’s election season is heating up.

Groton Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Bruce Flax, 55, is a Republican running for election to the Town Council.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you'd be representing.

No

Education:

Bachelors of Business - George Washington University

Occupation:

25 Years - Foxwoods Resort Casino
Director of Entertainment Marketing & Ticket Operations

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Groton Town Council 2008 to 2017, 2016 and 2017 as Mayor

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

The single most pressing issue facing our Town is managing the growth (economic development , new schools, etc.) and balancing that with environmental concerns and public input and have the process be transparent.

I would do this by including the citizens in the process as soon as possible, never discuss Town Business off camera, work with existing businesses to ensure they are not left behind and work on a public campaign to find ways to ensure the citizens are informed.

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

The current council has spent two years dividing and politicizing Town Politics.

I believe in working with everyone, treating people respectfully even in disagreement, and remember that we work for the people. The current Council operates in a vacuum out of the public eye.
They have increased town operation spending in 2018-2019 by 6.1% and the current Town Operations budget by 4.2%. the prior two years, when I was Mayor, Town Operations spending was down 1.9% (2017-18) and 5.2% (2016-17).

I agree there needs to be a balance between the budget and quality of life in the Town. I am interested in finding synergy with BOE - Town and City Departments. In addition, once the City has been audited and there is excess $ in the Police and Public Works, adjustments should be made for the following years budget to apply the excess, after adjusting for Pension and Benefits, against the requested budget.

The majority of the current council feel that State issues are not Town issues. I strongly disagree. An issue like Tolls, which some on the current council will not take a stand against, or give an opinion. is a huge issue for the Town. The Council needs to be tuned in to State issues which effect Groton, infinitely more than National issues. Over 1,300 people from Groton signed the No Tolls Petition - it matters to some. If it matters to one, it should matter to them! This shows the Council governing for the Party first, the people second. They pick and choose the issues they want to take on, again, governing with the Party in mind, not the people. They feel if it is not important to the Councilors it is not important for the people. I would govern the other way around - if it matters to a person, it matters to me.


List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Get the Noank Property and Garden back on track - last council ended an agreement without a plan and passed to the Town Manager to deal (with).
Communicate with the citizens so they know what is going on and have time to prepare should an issue interest them.
Restore fiscal responsibility to Groton’s town operations, focusing on sustainable solutions that promote financial health and stability.

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

The Town Councils are defined by the Town staff who deliver for everyone. I have had great relationships with the Town Department Directors. One of my strong suits is stepping up when there are waves. We initiated many of the programs (Marketing Properties, Not Losing Sight of the Thomas Road Project) that this Council continued with, and the Town was successful with.
I would stay the course fiscally, environmentally and for economic development.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

Mom used to say, treat others as you want to be treated!

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

In the past I have been outspoken about the City and always investigating one government, not 3. I AM NOT INTERESTED IN CREATING ONE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR ONE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT UNLESS IT WAS INITIATED BY THE CITY. I RESPECT THE CITY AS A SUBDIVISION AND HAVE NO INTEREST IN COMBINING POLICE (OR PUBLIC WORKS) IN ANYWAY.

Are you running for office in Groton? Contact Ellyn Santiago at ellyn.santiago@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Groton Patch.