Madison Candidate Profile: Al Goldberg, Board of Selectmen

MADISON, CT — Madison’s election season is heating up.

Madison Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Al Goldberg, 72, is a Democrat running for reelection to the Board of Selectmen.

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:

The Johns Hopkins University, AB in Psychology, 1969.
The University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business, MBA in Finance and the Management of Non-Profit Organizations, 1971.

Occupation:

The Connecticut Hospital Association, Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer 1972-2003
Executive Director of a Charitable Foundation 2003-
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:
Madison Board of Finance 2005-2007
Madison First Selectman 2007-2009
Madison Town Selectman 2009-present
Madison Pension Committees for Police, Fire, and Town Employees. Chairman, 2011-present
Selectman Liaison to Madison Board of Police Commissioners
Selectman Liaison to Madison Energy and Efficiency Committee
Selectman Liaison to Madison Salt Meadow Park Committee
Selectman Liaison to Academy Community Center Design Committee
Selectman member of the Tri-Board Facilities Review Committee

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

In order to engage our citizens, their government needs to demonstrate openness and responsiveness. We will need to take steps to:
1. Re-orienting our municipal government toward enhancing our quality of life, encouraging civic engagement, and embracing our hopes and dreams.
2. Re-orienting our municipal government to one which finds ways to move forward, even on the most difficult issues, which genuinely believes in building consensus, and which respects the wisdom of the voters.
3. Re-orienting municipal government so as to align with this community’s values. We need to restore the expectation of collaboration, attention to due process, respect for the spirit of our Town Charter, tri-board collegiality, and the graciousness of listening, openness, and kindness.

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

With consummate pride, I have served on this board for 12 years, both as a Selectman and as a First Selectman. I have acquired an invaluable and deep understanding of our town government's structure, operations, and limitations, and have learned how to get things done. I have a record of building consensus with my Selectmen colleagues and reaching bi-partisan compromise (on items such as building the Senior Center, reforming the Police Department, and developing the Strong Field Stadium). And in my personal and professional life, I have tried to live out the values of civility, kindness, and collaboration that I believe are core to Madison and this community. In short, I have the experience, temperament, and passion to be a reliable servant leader to the people, and an effective colleague to elected, appointed, and volunteer leaders.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

My Vision is that Town Government should be:
A vehicle to retain and sustain the values we cherish
A vehicle to shape and build consensus for our future
A vehicle to make Madison better for those who follow

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

Over the past 14 years, Madison citizens have honored me with their vote through seven election cycles. It has been my privilege to have faithfully served the public trust.
Over the past 44 years, I have been fortunate to live in Madison and serve this community in additional leadership roles including:
Madison Visiting Nurse Association Board Officer
Madison Lakes Association Board Officer
Temple Beth Tikvah President.
The Mary Wade Home, New Haven, Chairman of the Board
Madison Land Conservation Trust, Vice-Chair
ABC Advisory Board
Coach of numerous youth athletic teams

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

There is light in the shadow and shadow in the light, and black in the blue of the sky.

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

During my first campaign for First Selectman, I climbed aboard an old bike, strapped on my helmet, and cycled back and forth across town, speaking with thousands of voters and hearing countless answers to my favorite question: “What brought you to Madison?” I learned that educational and professional opportunities, an appreciation of natural beauty, and a desire to live well are the common thread for nearly all of us. I know there is still much work to be done to make good on the hopes and dreams of our residents, so I choose to continue to offer to serve. I have been humbled every day since by the trust you've placed in me, and am proud of what we've accomplished—but with the possibility of exciting, new leadership in the corner office and the responsibility of critical, difficult projects on the horizon, I believe this service is as important as ever.


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