Madison Candidate Profile: Fillmore McPherson, Board of Finance

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

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

Fillmore McPherson, 81, is a Republican running for election to the Board of Finance.

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

None

Education:

BS, Electrical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; MS Industrial Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Occupation:

Currently retired; 32 years industrial management, including 19 years at Schick Razors and Blades in Milford

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Madison First Selectman 2009-2015
Madison Board of Finance 2001-2009
Vice Chairman, South Central Region Council of Governments, 2015
Vice Chairman, High School Building Committee, 1999-2000

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

Madison has a number of proposed major projects in the upcoming years. For those that move forward, finding a way to finance them without undue tax increases will be crucial. I will use my knowledge and experience to guide us through these challenges.

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

Fourteen years of leadership in Madison. As your First Selectman, Madison received its triple A rating from Moody's Financial Services, signifying the highest endorsement of our financial management.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

1. Strong capital reserves to cover planned expenses are the key to our exemplary "pay as you go" style of financing. We must continue to keep these reserves healthy.
2. Maintain stable operating budgets.
3. Avoid excessive debt. Do not "kick the can down the road" like the state and many other municipalities do.

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

During my 14 years in office we accomplished a lot: built a new high school, a new ambulance garage, and a new senior center. We established Salt Meadow Park, upgraded Strong Field to be a top notch multi-sport area, and we rebuilt a number of facilities after the devastation caused by Irene, Sandy, and Nemo. We did all of this while keeping taxes in line.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

All you can do by yourself is mess things up, but together we can do great things. (from the Commanding Officer on my aircraft carrier)

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

I initiated the program to invest our reserve funds in government backed bonds, thus gaining over $1 million in revenue by the time I left office. I also converted the pension system for new employees to a 401k style, thus capping pension liabilities in the long term.

My public service includes 32 years, active and reserve, in the US Navy, retiring as a Captain. I am currently the Vice President, Finance for the Madison Land Conservation Trust and I deliver Meals on Wheels. Previously I was active with ACT II, Boy Scouts, Band Boosters, Nite in Hand, and Dancing for the Cause.

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.