James O. Gaston​ tells Patch why he should be re-elected to the Newtown Board of Finance.

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.

Trial lawyer James O. Gaston, 64, is running for re-election to the Newtown Board of Finance as a Democrat.

Education.

Fairfield Prep - High School; Lehigh University 1980 - Double Major: Finance & Economics (Minor - Government); Duquesne University School of Law 1983 - J.D.

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

Resident of Newtown (Main Street) since 1991. Wife - Stephanie (20+ years Newtown Scholarship Association); Children: Tara 34 high school and college soccer captain and all conference, Orthopedic Surgeon; Jimmy 32 3X All-American swimmer, presently in Healthcare; Kelley 28 H.S. Soccer and College Crew, New York City Law Firm; Owen 26 entrepreneur.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

14 Years on the Board of Finance as Chair or Vice-Chair - Elective; 4 years on the Board of Selectmen 2011-2015 - Elective; Board of Burgesses or Warden (ten years) of the Borough of Newtown from 1993 - Present - Elective

Why are you seeking this office?

With my extensive experience, I have the historical, practical and educational knowledge as to government finance. The purpose of the Board of Finance is to recommend and effectuate fiscal plans and efficiencies. The politics of Town finances should be left to the executive and legislative bodies. At the last election referendum more than 2/3 of Newtown voters endorsed the preservation of the Board of Finance and its purpose. I commit to honor this endorsement of the Newtown voters. What most effects Newtown voters are ... Schools, Streets, Security and Smart Development. My leadership record reflects my success in working with others (no matter which side of the aisle) and belief in transparency.

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

Local issues: Schools, Streets, Security (Fiscal and Safety) and Smart Development

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

I have far more experience in government finances both through experience and education. I have served as Chair or Vice-Chair of the Board of Finance for 14 years, and 4 years on the Board of Selectmen. I have served for 30 years+ as Warden or Board of Burgesses of the Borough of Newtown. My major in finance at Lehigh University was with an emphasis in Public Finance, and for 32 years I have made a weekly payroll running my own law firm with multiple employees. I thoroughly understand finances and economics. I also believe the Board of Finance should not be political. That is left to the Executive and Legislative Branches of government. I see no such commitment from my opponents on the other side of the aisle. I welcome them to make the same commitment.

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

I would like the Board of Finance and Legislative Council to better work together. In past years when I was Chair or Vice-Chair the two had an excellent working relation. For the past four years I have noticed a strained relationship where the Legislative Council shelved the Board of Finance work and started from scratch and without the expertise. That had never been the prior practice, is not in the best interest of the Newtown voters and is not the wishes of Newtowners as expressed by the last referendum 2/3+ vote to preserve the Newtown Board of Finance.

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

JAMES O. GASTON, Sr.
18 Main Street
Newtown, CT 06470

Resident for 32 years

Wife: Stephanie
Children: Tara–34; Jimmy–32; Kelley-28; Owen-26

EMPLOYMENT
Law Offices of James O. Gaston , LLC
239 Golden Hill Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203-334-1656)

EDUCATION
College – Lehigh University 1980
Double Major – Finance/Economics (Emphasis Public Finance)
Minor – Government
Juris Doctorate – Duquesne University School of Law 1983

MEMBER
NEWTOWN Board of Selectmen 2011 - 2015
NEWTOWN Board of Finance 2001 – 2011 (Vice-Chairperson) ; 2015-2019 (Chairperson/Vice-Chairperson)
NEWTOWN Charter Review Commission – Vice Chairperson 2021-2022
Warden, Borough of Newtown 2007-2019
Board of Burgesses, Borough of Newtown 1993 – 2007, 2019-Present (Senior Burgess 2001-2007)
Family Counseling Center – Board of Directors (1992-2000) (Vice Chairperson -1999-2000)
Board of Education – HVAC Committee 2003
Western United Extreme, Inc. – Non-profit – Girl’s Premier Soccer Club – Founder, Board Member 2004 – 2011
Democratic Town Committee – Newtown 2002-Present

LEGAL
Connecticut Bar Association
Board of Governors 1993 – Present
House of Delegates 1992 – Present
Executive Committee – Litigation Section 1986 – Present
Chairperson Litigation Section 1996-1999
Client Security Fund Committee 1993-1997
Court – Legislature Liaison Committee 1997-2012
Nominating Committee 2000 – 2006, 2008-2010
Legislative and Policy Review Committee 2020 - Present

Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association
Board of Governors 2010-Present
People’s Law School Committee – Founder/Chairperson 1988- 2004
Expert Data Bank – Founder – Chairperson 1990-1993
Legislative Committee 1998-2005
Continuing Education Committee 1990-1992

Million Dollar Settlement/Awards Association

Best 100 Lawyers Association

Trial Lawyers for Public Justice – State Coordinator 1990-1994

Connecticut Bar Foundation – Life Fellow, James W. Cooper Fellowship

National Board of Trial Associates – Board Certified in Civil Trials 1995 - Present

“Super Lawyers” –– Published in Connecticut Magazine, February 2006-2022 (Top 5% Lawyers-Civil Litigation)

“Avvo Rating 10 out of 10”

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Newtown has been our home for more than 30 years. Our family has long given back to the community...we agree with the late President, John F. Kennedy, Jr. "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." My wife, Stephanie was for more than 20 years on the Newtown Scholarship Board; My son, James Gaston, Jr. Volunteer Newtown Hook and Ladder; James Gaston, Jr. - 2 years Board of Finance (Mathematics and Economics Double Major Wesleyan University - Minor Environmental Sciences); as stated previously, I have been extensively involved in Newtown government. I'm pleased to say that working across the aisle and with transparency, while Chair of the Board of Finance, or as a Selectman on the Board of Selectmen we never had a failed Town or Board of Education budget. I like to think that is Good Government!