Patch Candidate Profile: Janet Leung Fonss, New Canaan Town Council

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.

Democrat Janet Leung Fonss, 55, is a New Canaan resident running for Town Council.

Education

Boston College - B.S. Carroll School of Management.

What is your occupation?

Retired Banker.

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

Husband - Jack. 2 grown children NCHS graduates: Max(23), College of William & Mary ‘23 graduate and Ava (18), freshman at Princeton University.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

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

No.

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?

After raising my kids here and volunteering for numerous organizations, including New Canaan Public Schools, I am ready to give back. Selfishly, I am happiest when I’m involved in the community and interacting for a greater cause. I would be honored to serve and ready to do the hard work of serving on the Town Council.

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

Transparency is an ongoing issue at all levels of town government as well as political tribalism. I truly believe New Canaanites all want the same things at the end of the day. However we differ politically, we must come together to address the pressing issues of affordable housing, cell phone service, and preserving our open spaces while making sure our town remains a safe, affordable and welcoming community.

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

I believe anyone who steps up to serve loves New Canaan just as much as I do. That said, I have lived in Fairfield County my entire life (almost 25 years in New Canaan) and believe I really understand our town’s values and priorities. As a product of immigrant parents and a member of the minority party, I offer a different perspective from others. As a former banker, I am a fiscal conservative and firmly believe in proper due diligence and transparency in all decision making. People who know me know I am collaborative and will listen with care.

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

My professional background is in banking and finance. After being trained as a financial analyst at Chase Manhattan Bank, I worked in Chase’s Credit Audit Program and then progressed as a credit analyst working as a VP in Credit Suisse’s Derivatives Group and subsequently at Deutsche Bank where I covered hedge funds in the counterparty risk group. While raising my children, I have worked for small businesses doing bookkeeping and accounting work.

In addition to my volunteer work in the New Canaan Public schools, I have served as a grade level advisor for the National Charity League and as a board member of New England Dance Theater. I currently serve as a Board member of the New Canaan Beautification League (Programs Committee) and the Organization of Chinese Americans - Fairfield County (OCAFC).

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Alone, we can do so little, together we can do so much.