Newtown Election: Ned Simpson For Newtown Board Of Finance

NEWTOWN, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in Newtown will be on the ballot.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 2, Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on various topics of importance in town.

Patch will post these candidate profiles over the next couple of weeks, so check back often to see the latest.

Democrat Ned Simpson, 72, is running for Newtown Board of Finance Member (BoF) in Newtown.

Occupation: Retired Healthcare Executive And Management Consultant

Family: Wife of 48 years Katherine and daughter Allison who lives in Brooklyn, NY

Experience: Current Board of Finance. Current Chair Town Building Inventory and Planning Work Group

Family in government: No

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

Finding a balance to keep and enhance all that we love about Newtown while being financially prudent in a changing economic and social environment. I will research, probe and listen. Whether 21st century schools, economic development, housing, transportation, livable community for all or a host of other issues, and I’ll be working for data-driven decisions reflective of stewardship of taxpayer money. *To maintain and enhance all that we lover about Newtown while both moving forward as a 21st century community and being financially prudent as we do so

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

There is only one other BoF incumbent running for re-election. This is concerning to me. First, learning municipal accounting, which differs from generally accepted business accounting, and at times can be counterintuitive, takes a good deal of effort. Notable effort is also needed to learn, charter, policies, governance, information resources operations and Newtown’s character. Finally, most items that come before the BoF have history. Without knowing past context, plans, and commitments, action on current items will not be fully informed decisions.

During my tenure, I have found the BoF characterized by non-partisan collaboration, transparency, and a holistic view of Newtown finances. It’s not this department’s or that department’s money. It’s taxpayer money. Some strenuously disagreed with this view. In the end, and all schools and municipal budget requests were funded and the millage rate did not increase.

Accomplishments:

Starting from undergraduate and master’s degrees in engineering from the University of Michigan, I had a successful career in health systems operations and information systems which included executive roles at three major health systems. My later career evolved into quality improvement, life sciences and supply chain systems integration.

Skipping to my time on BoF, I like to think my approach is is “working smarter” one. For example, and last fall the proposed CIP had six parking lot repaving projects estimated around $6.5 million. I researched and asked questions about these projects. This year the same set of projects is proposed at $1.7 million. And repaving Booth Library will now include resolution of a long-standing access problem for those that have difficulty walking. (ADA compliance is not enough for many.)

Other issues:

Planning. In coming years expensive components of many town building will need replacement. We can and should plan and save for this. Also some key town employees will be retiring. We should make sure their knowledge is not lost when they retire.

Adding Value. As a $150 million operation, Newtown needs professional management with accountability back to taxpayers. Board of Finance is typically the second of three approvals. I have sought ways to differentiate what the three bodies focus on and ways to eliminate the middle BoF review when appropriate.

One Newtown. I’m a strong believer that the best course for Newtown is as One Newtown, not a collection of departments, and boards and commissions. Working together is a must.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

Improving operations without escalating cost is engrained in my nature.

I’m a proponent of transparency and informed community engagement. I push for description and definitions and clarity in records of BoF actions and other