Hamden Candidate Profile: Caldwell For Legislative Council

HAMDEN, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Hamden and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

Rhonda Caldwell is running for Legislative Council At-Large as a Working Families Party candidate.

Education:

Bachelor of Finance from Sacred Heart University and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of New Haven.

Occupation:

Asset Manager II - with CHFA

I’ve worked as a property manager of affordable housing for low income elderly and families from MA to SC for the 27 years. In my current job, I have regulatory oversight for several housing authorities throughout the state of CT, including The Hamden Housing Authority, and we here in our agency were instrumental in closing and funding their $5MM renovation project to the Hamden Village Community which included state loan and grants funds. I have dedicated my entire career to managing and making affordable housing available to those in need of nice and safe affordable housing.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

None

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

Out towns budget and financial condition and future plans must be honest and transparent for Hamden’s families. I will work tirelessly using my two decades of experience in public budgets and audit review to work with our Mayor and other fellow Council members to approve a budget that is fair and equitable for all Hamden residents.

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

I have extensive experience in public service working on a State and Federal level and thoroughly aware of how the flow of funds may help assist our town’s fiscal difficulties and will assist in every available area.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Diversity of the Town of Hamden is our strength and it should be celebrated, mostly by making our schools equitable for all kids throughout Hamden and providing the teachers with the additional resources, staff and support they need. Finding a way to make universal Pre-K to all Hamden residents.

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

Working in state and federal finance, and audit review in multi-family housing properties since 1993. My largest property I’ve managed was 585 units in downtown Boston, that was my greatest career challenge. I have the capacity to provide the Council and my constituents with a clear yet in-depth picture of our Town’s financial difficulties and what plans we will make to work our way out of this situation.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Don’t wait for tomorrow to help someone, make a difference today, for tomorrow is NOT promised.

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

I am ready to roll my sleeves up and make our great Town, even better.

Campaign website:

Caldwellandsweet.com