Manchester Election: Pamela Floyd-Cranford For Directors

MANCHESTER, CT — Democrat Pamela Floyd-Cranford, 59, is running for Board of Directors in Manchester.

Occupation: Program Manager

Family:Kevin W. Cranford, Jr. (son/35) K'Ronn Cranford (son/30)

Experience: Board of Directors

Family in government: No

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

As a Town Director along with the current BOD, we needed to find solutions to help families and residents who are struggling severely due to the Covid crises. We decided to utilize a portion of the American Rescue Plan Federal Relief money to fund and support community service agencies that do direct services to help our residents who are struggling with food inequity and housing instability.

We are also looking into other ways to continue to use these funds which may include financial support for a "Warming Center", and repurposing old schools and making improvements to our town's main library which is a staple in our town. Me and my BOD colleagues will also continue to have public hearings to get direct input and suggestions from our residents on sound and smart solutions that will benefit our town.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I bring my own unique experiences and skill sets to this position. I am avid collaborator and work well across party lines. My professional experience working with children and families in crises and being a LCSW makes me have a deliberate keen insight into the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized families. I am very diligently to listen purposefully to the concerns that are important to our residents. I also managed contracted providers and services for DCF for 12 years. I learned the importance of being fiscal responsible regarding budgeting for services and designing service model that are efficient and meet the needs of both families and communities. My contracting experience helps me when I review the effectiveness of town services as well as to ensure that we are being fiscal responsible. As an African American woman, I have pushed for and continue to push for a fully inclusive community. I have voted for funding The Manchester Diversity and Inclusion Collaborative which helps to embrace and support diversity via cultural training of town staff. I have also pushed for and assisted with diversifying town services, including town departments, boards, and commissions and the public school system. I spearheaded the return of a polling station that allowed all residents to have equal access to voting. I am an intentional team-player, and and I will continue working with my colleagues to do what’s best for Manchester.

Accomplishments:

I have voted for and past a balanced budget without raising taxes for two straight years and we continued to maintain quality services to our residents. I have voted for and support that businesses and companies coming into Manchester are required to pay a living wage to help families acquire and sustain a decent quality of life.

Other issues:

I will continue to always support finding resources to lessen the tax burden on our residents. Keeping taxes down and maintaining quality services is my chief priority.

I also will continue to support and help to ensure that Manchester continues to progress into becoming one of the top towns that is a welcoming and inclusive community. I will continue to vote for ordinances and resolutions that embrace all of our residents regardless of race, culture, and immigration status or authentic orientation and the right to be who we/they are.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I am a loving caring mother and grandmother. I believe it is my duty and a responsibility to serve my community. I also know that both my professional career and my time and position on the Manchester BOD was necessary to make the positive changes that I want to see for children and families and town residents.