Hamden Candidate Profile: Tom Figlar 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.

Tom Figlar is running for a seat on the Legislative Council in the 7th District as a Republican. Democrat Michael Colaiacovo Jr. is the incumbent.

Figlar has been an accountant for more than 10 years and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of New Haven and a master’s degree in accounting from Post University. He has three children, ages 12, 10 and 7.

Are you running for office in Hamden? Contact Vinnie Salzo at vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Hamden Patch.

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

I think there are a few issues facing our town depending on the district. For instance, in the 9th District, the issue seems to be students permits for off campus students. In the 7th District, the big issues are economic development in Southern Hamden. I would work with the mayor and other departments to figure out how to attract new retail attractions that the community wants.

The other main issue in my district is the newly proposed cell phone tower that Verizon would like to put up on Woodin St. I am working with the residents opposing the tower. I live within a mile of where tower would be and I am opposing it.

Town-wide our main issue is the finances. We are 1.1B in debt with Pension Liabilities. I would look at the budget and see where could streamline expenses in a more efficient way. I also believe there are additional grants the town could receive for some of the smaller projects.

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

The major difference is concerning the Cell Phone tower. He would like the cell tower built, which is a change in attitude from 2011 when they were building a cell tower on Wintergreen Ave. and he was against it. He isn't echoing what his district truly wants.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Budget Oversight.

Being a voice for people in my district and hear what they are saying.

Transparency and ability to work other officials which isn't currently happening in this town.

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

I currently am employed as a Financial Analyst at a local Non-Profit Health Center. I work very closely with budgets and have over the past 10 years. I actually was one of the people that put the budget together and worked with different dept heads to do so.

I also was one of the parents fighting to keep Wintergreen Magnet School in Hamden. I am a good communicator and will always give 110%.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

The golden rule at a very early age. Treat others how you would like others to treat you.

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

The concerns of the residents in the 7th District are the same concerns I share. I will work tirelessly to represent the people of my district and echo their concerns.

For more information, visit Tom Figlar for 7th District Legislative Council on Facebook here.