Newtown Candidate Profile: Paul Lundquist For Legislative Council

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.

Paul Lundquist is running for Legislative Council, District 1 as a Democrat.

Occupation: Managing Partner, YouGov/Harrison Group. A strategic marketing consulting and research services firm — started in Newtown in 1996, acquired in 2010. Throughout my 25+ year career, I've served as a senior advisor to clients in a range of industries spann

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Legislative Council, current Chairman (2012-present). Serve on Education Committee and Finance & Administration Committee

Municipal Building Strategic Plan Committee, representing the Legislative Council (2015-2016)

Fairfield Hills Master Plan Amendment Work Group (2012-2013)

Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee (2010-2011)

Legislative Council (Appointed to fill vacancy, July 09). Co-Chairman of the Board of Education and Municipal Facilities Management subcommittee

Board of Education liaison for Hawley School PTA Executive Board (2008-2009)

Survey of Newtown Residents, “The Way Things Are in Newtown's (2007/2008). Volunteered my time and my firm's resources to survey a statistically representative sample of Newtown households on a range of topics affecting the town and residents, and provided insights and guidance to town leadership. Project was completed pro bono at no expense to the town

Co-Founder and former board member, Sandy Hook Promise

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

My top priorities upon re-election will continue to include providing responsible and adequate funding for road maintenance, education and public safety. And with this as a backdrop, the most pressing, overarching issue remains how funding for educational and municipal programs must be considered with sensitivity to the tax burden it lays at the feet of our neighbors. And this where experience on the Council counts most, funding appropriate levels of town and education budgets must be coupled with sound, conservative fiscal policy. Working together, it is possible -- even in times of economic challenge -- to support investment in the long-term goals and interests of our community.

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

Everybody currently serving in elected positions, and every new candidate seeking their first seat, are all united in our dedication and care of our town. I offer considerable experience, understanding, and leadership on the Council, but I believe my mindset is equally important. I am known to be a reasonable and rational team player. I can synthesize facts and identify commonalities of opinion across diverse perspectives. I always seek to base decisions on facts and data, with clear rationale to frame the outcome. Opinions and positions can change with new information, while our principals remain intact.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

We need to remain vigilant and ready to respond to potential reductions in State revenues, and our best defense is prudent fiscal policy that will allow us to reduce our reliance on State revenue if we see a shortfall. We need to maintain a strong fund balance reserve (which also helps retain our high bond rating, and in turn, saves lots of tax payer money when bonding for long-term capital projects); we need to consider reduced borrowing in the future (and consider further lowering of our debt cap); and we should begin to shift funding of capital projects to encourage saving-up rather than borrowing/bonding via the CIP. Separate from all of this, but critically important: we need to provide tax relief through growth in our grand list by attracting and supporting appropriate business growth.

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

I've enjoyed support over the past four elections representing District 1 on the Legislative Council, and for these past two years I've had the additional honor of serving as Chairman. I've also helped grow a business started here in Newtown, from a home basement to an entire building in Sandy Hook center. I seek nothing more than to lend my experience, common sense and leadership to help keep Newtown the great place we all chose to raise our families, enjoy our friends, and live a wonderful life.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Hard work puts you where the good luck can find you.

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

I feel there is a worrisome lack of public participation in our town government, as seen in both voter turnout and meeting input. Too many important decisions are being left to too few people. It's true that we operate under a representative democracy, and as an elected official I'm entrusted to act on behalf of District 1 and the town as a whole. But, I also know that the public's lack of awareness on certain topics does not equate to a lack of opinion. We need to hear your thoughts. And we need to hear from you at our meetings, in person or in an email. Facebook does not count! Social media cannot replace a town meeting, so please bring your opinions to our meetings. And elected officials need to be as open-minded and welcoming as possible. I personally find it to be one of the pleasures of our jobs on the LC to see residents voice their opinions, either in agreement or in opposition to my own perspective. It gives appropriate meaning and weight to our work. I want to know what you think!