Orange Candidate Profile: Kevin Houlihan For Board Of Finance

ORANGE, CT — Election day in Orange is drawing closer, and to help residents make an informed decision on Nov. 5, Orange Patch asked candidates for various elected offices to answer questions about their campaigns and the issues in town.

Kevin Houlihan, 53, is a Republican seeking re-election to the Board of Finance, where he is currently the Chairman and has been a member since 1999.

Houlihan has been a Certified Public Accountant for 32 years, and he is married to wife Susan.

The single most pressing issue facing Orange is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Taxes and the impact of State budgeting on our town. Maintaining control of the Town's finances at the Town level. Regionalizing the Orange Grammar Schools shifts control of a third of the Town's budget. Based on student population this would also increase costs to the town and benefit Woodbridge and Bethany while costing not only the taxpayers of Orange but potentially causing increased class sizes in our schools that everyone has worked hard to keep low.

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

20 years of experience on the board along with 32 years of public accounting

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

Chairman of the Board for the last ten years, continuously working to find savings within the budget.

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

I am a long time resident who cares deeply about our town and community and hope to continue to serve the town of Orange.