Candidate Profile: David Rosen, Newtown Planning & Zoning Commission

NEWTOWN, CT — The 2023 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.

Democrat David Rosen, 52, is running for election to the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission.

Education.

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Cornell University; Master’s of Business Administration, Yale University; Master’s of Public Health, Yale University

What is your occupation?

Pharmaceuticals Commercial Operations and Analytics

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

Wife Joanna is a psychologist in Newtown.
Daughter Katarina, 21, is a Senior at the University of Wisconsin.
Son Joshua, 18 is a Freshman at Vanderbilt University.
Son Elliot, 16 is a Junior at The Wooster School in Danbury.
Two dogs. Zeus, a Lab Great Dane mix and Phoebe, a Bassett hound and a constant source of entertainment.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None

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

I have been a Planning and Zoning Alternate for the past 6 years.

Why are you seeking this office?

Bottom line is I care about Newtown and the Planning and Zoning Commission has as much impact on Newtown’s future as any board. I have truly enjoyed serving my community.

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

The single most pressing issue from a Planning and Zoning perspective is the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) which is being reexamined and rewritten over the coming months. The POCD is essentially the blueprint upon which Newtown’s development is based and helps us determine which areas of Newtown will be residential, light industrial, business, etc. It will have significant influence on the type of town we live in for years to come, and the Planning and Zoning Commission will have significant influence on its content. This plan has the opportunity to relieve residential tax burden through business growth, and it also has the opportunity to ensure measured development. We need to have a robust public process to make sure our POCD represents the best interests of our residents.

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

I have worked continuously on planning and zoning for the past six years. I bring an objective, analytical eye in examining proposals, and as a moderate, I have a very easy time working with both sides of the aisle.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I don’t believe any of the incumbents of either party have failed the community. They all care about its future and have taken the time to serve on this commission as a demonstration of that care.

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

A few of the key issues:
1. How do we make Newtown affordable to young families?
2. What measures can we take to limit impact on traffic?
3. How can we preserve Newtown’s open space?
4. How do we modernize our regulations to keep up with our changing times? (Examples: accessory dwelling units, Airbnb, agribusiness, etc.)

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

Despite the pandemic, Newtown has thrived in the past several years. We have approved many high impact businesses and buildings in town including the new police station, breweries, and development in Sandy Hook. We have also set aside land as open space and did not approve the truck warehouse that was so concerning to citizens. I have taken part in many of these votes and contributed extensively in the development of new zoning rules designed to protect the town.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Take the high road. I always will.