Newtown Candidate Profile: Joan Plouffe For Police Commission

NEWTOWN, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Newtown and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

Joan Plouffe is running for Police commission as a Democrat. She is an office manager and previously was a practicing lawyer before having children. She is a current member of the Police Commission and has served on many boards and commissions in town, including PTA boards, the Charter Revision Commission, Long Term Strategic Planning Committee for the School District and the Commission on Aging.

Are you running for office in Newtown? Contact Rich Scinto at rich.scinto@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Newtown Patch.

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

The Police Commission is the traffic authority in town, and speeding is a an ongoing issue.

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

We have spent a great deal of time and effort trying to combat the speeding on Toddy Hill Rd. for example. I plan to continue in that effort until the issue has resolved, and I plan to approach any other such issues with other neighborhoods with the same level of concern. I will continue to advocate for the safety of all of our roads for our residents.

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

I am an incumbent, and will not have a learning curve. I studied extensively in preparation for serving, and my being a lawyer is an invaluable asset to the Commission. I am proud to have helped successfully advocate for the much needed new police station.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

My father taught me to think before I speak and to listen to the thoughts and opinions of others. As I result, I am open minded and listen to other opinions when formulating my own decisions.

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

I am committed to our community, as my record on volunteerism shows. I am proud of our exceptional police department and its leadership, and of having helped get our much needed new police station approved by the voters. I look forward to continuing to serve on the Police Commission.