Patch Candidate Profile: Dionna Carlson, New Canaan First Selectman

NEW CANAAN, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in New Canaan and there are plenty of local races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

Republican Dionna Carlson, 54, is a New Canaan resident running for first selectman.

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://dionna4newcanaan.com

Education.

B.S. Finance with High Honors; Chartered Financial Analyst Charterholder (1999-2009)

What is your occupation?

Retired.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Husband David (married 27 years), three grown children.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

New Canaan Board of Education (2013-2021), chair (2015-2018).

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I LOVE New Canaan! I believe I am the right person, at the right time, with the right skills to move New Canaan forward in a more strategic way while restoring transparency, civility and teamwork to the office of first selectman. My vision for New Canaan is to preserve the historic charm we all love, maintain our excellent schools which not only create good citizens and future leaders but also protects our property values, while supporting our departments of public safety and public works which make New Canaan an amazing place to live, work, raise a family and retire.

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

Finding affordable housing solutions that work for New Canaan. I will work with the Affordable Housing Committee to identify projects that the town can develop and control. Create a strategic plan that not only identifies where we want to develop but also formulates how we will fund this development. I will also work to achieve the moratorium credit we deserve for the Millport units currently uncounted.

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

My history of leadership in this community and being chosen by my peers to lead. I've demonstrated that I know how to listen and build consensus.

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

1. Fiscal Responsibility - we need to keep our bonded indebtedness at a manageable level, our AAA credit rating and a low tax rate.

2. Community Engagement, Collaboration & Transparency: Initiate a regular community newsletter that updates residents on what is happening within the various departments at town hall and highlights the work of the various boards and commissions in town. Newsletter will allow for resident feedback.

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

Having been the chair of the Board of Education prepared me well for this role. The BOE represents approximately 2/3rds of the town's total budget. I also served on two teacher contract negotiations teams, a bus contract team, was on the board that transitioned the entire staff to a high-deductible health care plan for the benefit of the staff and the district, and testified in Hartford agains school regionalization. The BOE also brought solar-power to the schools and renovated Saxe Middle School during my tenure.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.