Patch Candidate Profile: Kevin Reid, Monroe Town Council

MONROE, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Monroe and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Monroe Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

IT executive Kevin Reid, 52, is running for re-election to the Monroe Town Council as a Republican. He holds a master's degree from the University of Connecticut, and has a wife and daughter.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Why are you seeking this office?

To continue the good work we've accomplished in the last 10 years with bringing in business, keeping our town safe through supporting first responders and tightening policies and practices in Town Hall that make doing business more efficient. Although not perfect, each of these conditions has improved and will continue to.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Economics - TAXES. That simple. Need to ensure Town-side costs remain controlled and applicable and appropriate.

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

With the folks on Council now, I think everyone actually cares and wants to do well on both sides of the aisle. Local policy tends to be far less political and partisan than state and federal. We have a good Council that works well with each other. I want to see that continue. I do see people that are running that do no hold office now that want to cause disruption and opposition. The key to a good council person is to work with everyone. Listen to everyone, and be bold and strong enough to cast a vote that is the best choice and option for the people of Monroe.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Focusing on safety, tax burden (keeping it as low as possible), ensuring our town is easy to do business with and creating an environment that is not confrontational where people want to work together for common goals. Most of the time, people want the same thing, the same outcomes, but because the process is adversarial and opposition is the desired approach, the process can't run as intended. That's when the outcome takes too long, or people aren't represented on Council and other boards to get what is desired.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

For me to always assume best intent from the other person. Even when they don't have the best intentions, it keeps me in a posture to listen, accommodate and understand. If assuming the worst of intentions is the immediate "go to" emotion, nothing will get done and adversarial relationships destroy progress.